Nothing so obstinately stands in the way of all sorts of progress as pride of opinion; while nothing is so foolish and baseless.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Temper gets you into trouble. Pride keeps you there.
—Unknown
Pride the first peer and president of hell.
—Daniel Defoe (1659–1731) English Writer, Journalist, Pamphleteer
To find oneself jilted is a blow to one’s pride. One must do one’s best to forget it and if one doesn’t succeed, at least one must pretend to.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There is an awful lot of negative energy out there and some of it is directed at us by other people. But other people’s reactions and opinions are simply other people’s reactions and opinions. They are having their own experience and none of it has anything to do with you—it does not make you wrong, guilty, bad, unworthy, famous, loveable, or important. If you take it personally and take on the poison of another’s words, it becomes a very negative agreement you have with yourself. What anybody thinks about you, or says about you, is really about them. Not taking it personally allows you to be in relationship with anyone and not get trapped in their stuff. This agreement can also pertain to things that we take personally that cause us to go into upset.
—Miguel Angel Ruiz (b.1952) Mexican Spiritualist Author
Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion
—Indian Proverb
No man has ever had a point of pride that was not injurious to him.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but it is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A man may and ought to pride himself more on his will than on his talent.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
It requires but the slightest breeze of ill luck to cast down the proud, and quite right, too; for the immense ocean, which consists of countless drops of water, is nevertheless disturbed by the slightest breeze; and will there be anything more necessary to humble men, in whose veins only one drop of blood is flowing?
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
As soon as there was two there was pride
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
Pride had rather out of the way than go behind
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Pride is not the heritage of man; humility should dwell with frailty, and atone for ignorance, error, and imperfection.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
As Plato entertained some friends in a room where there was a couch richly ornamented, Diogenes came in very dirty, as usual, and getting upon the couch, and trampling on it, said, “I trample upon the pride of Plato.” Plato mildly answered, “But with greater pride, Diogenes!”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
You who are ashamed of your poverty, and blush for your calling, are a snob; as are you who boast of your pedigree, or are proud of your wealth.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Of all marvelous things, perhaps there is nothing that angels behold with such supreme astonishment as a proud man.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The passions grafted on wounded pride are the most inveterate; they are green and vigorous in old age.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
There is this paradox in pride—it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
If a proud man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is that he keeps his at the same time.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
My family pride is something inconceivable. I can’t help it. I was born sneering.
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
I don’t feel myself that I Know it all, but I have enough conceit to be successful. That observation was made by a businessman in his 30s who was making notable headway, although his path bristled with difficulties. Business places no premiums on shrinking violets. Employers prefer men who have self-assurance, forcefulness, go-aheadness, men who know their jobs and know that they know it.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
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