The expression "holy simplicity" arose a long time ago under tragic circumstances. The authorship is attributed to Jan Hus.
Who is Jan Hus?
Jan Hus was a preacher and inspirer of the Czech Reformation.
Born in 1371 in a peasant family, graduated from a university in Prague, later became rector there, and since 1402 he was a priest and preacher in the Bethlehem Chapel in the Czech capital.
He constantly delivered speeches, denounced the Catholic priesthood in money-grubbing, trade in posts, and indulgences.
His performances were very popular, gathered a lot of people. The Catholic Church Council anathematized him and sent him to the stake. Jan Hus was 44 years old by that time.
When they were planning to burn Jan Hus at the stake, an old woman came up with a bundle of brushwood, deciding to do a good deed, she put her firewood into the fire.
Jan Hus, waiting for the flame to break out, watched the woman and exclaimed: “Oh, holy simplicity!”
But researchers recorded the utterance of this phrase at the Christian Cathedral in the 4th century. If Gus said it at the stake, he could hear the phrase earlier, but thanks to him she became winged.
The negative meaning of "holy simplicity"
Often people, with good intentions, do things that result in more harm than help. This happens due to limited views, shortsightedness. Here the expression "holy simplicity" is used in a negative sense. About simple-minded and naive people who cannot cheat when it would seem necessary, they can “light a fire” with harsh words that were said at the wrong time.
Such situations often arise when rescuing animals, when people who do not know their characteristics and behavior in nature and try to feed them with sweets in the zoo are taken to help them.
Phraseologism "holy simplicity" can be used not only in an ironic, but also in a positive sense.
The simplicity of a holy man
“Holy simplicity” - this is what they say about a person who is clean, trusting, living with an open heart, sincerely believing in the kindness of the people around him, not looking for a dirty trick in their actions.
St. Paul was modest; he did not think of himself; he followed Jesus in everything. When they asked St. Anthony to cast out the demon, he refused, but sent those who asked to Paul. Saint Anthony said that only Paul with his holy simplicity was able to resist the evil spirit. And when they brought the sick man to St. Paul, the spirit cried out: “The simplicity of Paul casts me out!” - and left.
Using the expression "holy simplicity", it is necessary to distinguish when it is spoken to denote human stupidity and arrogance, and when in order to emphasize humility and humility before God.