I frankly confess I have a respect for family pride.—If it be a prejudice, it is prejudice in its most picturesque shape.—But I hold it is connected with some of the noblest feelings in our nature.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
The proud man can learn humility, but he will be proud of it.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Pride makes us esteem ourselves; vanity to desire the esteem of others.—It is just to say as Swift has done, that a proud man is too proud to be vain.
—Hugh Blair (1718–1800) Scottish Preacher, Scholar, Critic
Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
Pride is the mask we make of our faults.
—Hebrew Proverb
I am done with great things and big things, great institutions and big success, and I am for those tiny invisible molecular moral forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which if you give them time, will rend the hardest monumentos of man’s pride.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
Many a man is praised for his reserve and so-called shyness when he is simply too proud to risk making a fool of himself.
—J. B. Priestley (1894–1984) English Novelist, Playwright, Critic
The seat of pride is in the heart, and only there; and if it be not there, it is neither in the look, nor in the clothes.
—Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–74) English Statesman, Historian
Every time I see an Erie Railroad engine bearing the name of its faithful driver a thrill goes through me, for I know that the man guiding it has won this rare honor by many years of the most loyal and efficient service. Who will argue that only public men and corporation heads are entitled to have their names emblazoned on the scroll of honor? All workmen care about is money, you say? Wrong. Workers are made of exactly the same stuff as generals or senators or presidents or governors or industrial leaders. It is just as fitting to honor the worthiest of our wage earners as it is to honor others.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
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
A proud man never shows his pride so much as when he is civil.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
There is nothing that will kill a man so soon as having nobody to find fault with but himself.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity.
—Vanna Bonta (1958–2014) Italian-American Novelist, Poet, Actress
When flowers are full of heaven-descended dews, they always hang their heads; but men hold theirs the higher the more they receive, getting proud as they get full.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
It is oftener from pride, than from want of understanding that we oppose the opinions adopted by the world.—We find the first places are taken in a good cause, and are unwilling to come in as second.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
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
No race can prosper ’til it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling the field, as in writing a poem.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
A man may and ought to pride himself more on his will than on his talent.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
In pride, unreasoning pride, our error lies; all quit their sphere, and rush into the skies; pride still is aiming at the blest abodes; men would be angels; angels would be gods.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Pride and conceit were the original sin of man.
—Alain-Rene Lesage (1668–1747) French Novelist, Dramatist
Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion
—Indian Proverb
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
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something…almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.
—Steve Jobs (1955–2011) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
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
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
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
In beginning the world, if you don’t wish to get chafed at every turn, fold up your pride carefully, and put it under lock and key, and only let it out to air on grand occasions.—It is a garment all stiff brocade outside, and all grating sackcloth on the side next to the skin.—Even kings do not wear the dalmaticum except at a coronation.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician