The Ear That Hears Reproof and the Ladder of Humility

"An ear that listens to the reproof of life lodges among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). But if he did not incline his heart to the reproof of life - "one who refuses correction despises his own soul, but one who listens to reproof acquires a heart" (Proverbs 15:32). If he ruined his soul - through words of Torah he acquires a heart, this is the wisdom that is set in the heart, so that through this he merits honor and humility, as it is said - "the fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33). There we learned (Song of Songs Rabbah 1:1:9): "Rabbi Pinhas ben Yair says: Diligence leads to cleanliness, cleanliness leads to purity, purity leads to holiness, holiness leads to humility, humility leads to fear of sin, fear of sin leads to piety, piety leads to the holy spirit, the holy spirit leads to the resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection of the dead leads to Elijah, remembered for good. Diligence to cleanliness - as it is said, 'And he shall finish atoning for the holy place' (Leviticus 16:20). Cleanliness to purity - as it is said, 'And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be pure' (Leviticus 12:8). Purity to holiness - as it is said, 'And he shall purify it and sanctify it from the impurities of the children of Israel' (Leviticus 16:19). Holiness to humility - as it is said, 'For thus says the high and exalted One who dwells forever, and holy is His name: I dwell on high and in holiness, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite' (Isaiah 57:15). Humility to fear of sin - as it is said, 'The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD' (Proverbs 22:4). Fear of sin to piety - as it is said, 'Then You spoke in a vision to Your pious ones' (Psalms 89:20). Piety to the holy spirit - as it is said, 'Then you will understand the fear of the LORD' (Proverbs 2:5). The holy spirit to the resurrection of the dead - as it is said, 'And I will put My spirit in you and you shall live' (Ezekiel 37:14). The resurrection of the dead comes through Elijah, remembered for good, as it is said, 'Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD, and he shall turn the heart of fathers to children' (Malachi 3:24)." Rabbi Isaac bar Eleazar said: What wisdom made a crown for its head, humility made a sandal for its heel. A crown for its head - as it is said (Psalms 111:10): "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD." A sandal for its heel - as it is said (Proverbs 22:4): "The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD." Therefore it is said: "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom."