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 the mask of one’s own faults.
—Yiddish Proverb
There is a diabolical trio existing in the natural man, implacable, inextinguishable, cooperative and consentaneous, pride, envy, and hate; pride that makes us fancy we deserve all the goods that others possess; envy that some should be admired while we are overlooked; and hate, because all that is bestowed on others, diminishes the sum we think due to ourselves.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
He who hardens his heart with pride softens his brain with the same.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Pride does not wish to owe and vanity does not wish to pay.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
To acknowledge our faults when we are blamed, is modesty; to discover them to one’s friends, in ingenuousness, is confidence; but to proclaim them to the world, if one does not take care, is pride.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave: Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise, – His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
None have more pride than those who dream that they have none. You may labor against vainglory till you conceive that you are humble, and the fond conceit of your humility will prove to be pride in full bloom.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance.
—Jeremy Taylor
We should be ashamed of our pride, but never proud of our shame.
—Unknown
The need to be right is the sign of a vulgar mind.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
The mind of a proud man is like a mushroom, which starts up in a night: his business is first to forget himself, and then his friends.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
With the pride of the artist, you must blow against the walls of every power that exists the small trumpet of your defiance.
—Norman Mailer (1923–2007) American Novelist Essayist
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
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
My pride fell with my fortunes.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
One of the best temporary cures for pride and affection is seasickness; a man who wants to vomit never puts on airs.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Pride is like idolatry.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The disesteem and contempt of others is inseparable from pride. It is hardly possible to overvalue ourselves but by undervaluing our neighbors.
—Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–74) English Statesman, Historian
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Riches are apt to betray a man into arrogance.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity.
—Vanna Bonta (1958–2014) Italian-American Novelist, Poet, Actress
Pride is a sign of the worst poverty—ignorance.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
He that is proud eats up himself; pride is his glass, his trumpet, his chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the deed in the praise.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The proud are ever most provoked by pride.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Pride had rather out of the way than go behind
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
No man has ever had a point of pride that was not injurious to him.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
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