Attributing Victory

Sensus enim, inquit, et cogitatio humani cordis in malum prona sunt ab adolescentia sua. Corruptionis malum quod unusquisque nostrum ab ortu desideriorum carnalium sumpsit, in profectum aetatis exercet, et nisi hoc citius divinae formidinis manus reprimat, omne conditae naturae bonum, repente culpa in profundum vorat. Nemo igitur sibi cogitationum suarum victoriam tribuat, cum Apostolis dicat: Neque qui plantat est aliquid, neque qui rigat; sed qui incrementum dat Deus. Rabanus Maurus, Commentariorum In Genesim, Liber II, Caput VIII Source: Migne PL 107.523b

The mind and thought of the human heart is inclined to evil from its youth. 1 The evil of corruption which each of us takes up from the springing up of the desires of the flesh, exerts itself with the progress of age, and unless the hand of Divine disapproval restrains, sin swiftly swallows down into the depths every good of our created nature. No one, therefore, should attribute victory over his own thoughts to himself, but as the Apostle says, 'Neither he who plants is anything, nor is he who waters, but God who gives the growth.' 2 Rabanus Maurus, Commentary On Genesis, Book 2, Chapter 8 1 Gen 8.21 2 1 Cor 3.7