The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults 236How our eighth combat is against the spirit of pride, and of its character.

Our eighth and last combat is against the spirit of pride, which evil, although it is the latest in our conflict with our faults and stands last on the list, yet in beginning and in the order of time is the first: an evil beast that is most savage and more dreadful than all the former ones, chiefly trying those who are perfect, and devouring with its dreadful bite those who have almost attained the consummation of virtue.