Patience and gentleness under wrong were not characteristics prized by the heathen or by the Jews. The statement made by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity or contempt. But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His kingdom. In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed.

Tålmodighed og mildhed under forurettelse var ikke egenskaber, der stød i høj kurs iblandt hedningerne eller hos jøderne. Da Moses under Helligåndens inspiration udtalte, at han var det sagtmodigste menneske på jorden (4Mos. 12,3), var det et udsagn, som folket på hans tid ikke opfattede som en anbefaling; det vakte snarere medynk eller foragt. Men Jesus satte sagtmodighed som en af de første egenskaber i hans rige. Hans egen færd og karakter er en åbenbarelse af den guddommelige skønhed i denne kostelige dyd.