A penny in an empty box rattles loudly.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, ignorant of what thou art most assured, play such fantastic tricks before high heaven, as make the angels weep.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Every man has a right to be conceited until he is successful.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Pride, like ambition, is sometimes virtuous and sometimes vicious, according to the character in which it is found, and the object to which it is directed. As a principle, it is the parent of almost every virtue and every vice—everything that pleases and displeases in mankind; and as the effects are so very different, nothing is more easy than to discover, even to ourselves, whether the pride that produces them is virtuous or vicious: the first object of virtuous pride is rectitude, and the next independence.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
Some movie stars wear their sunglasses even in church. They’re afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Humorist, Radio Personality
A man given to pride is usually proud of the wrong thing.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Pride, like the magnet, constantly points to one object, self; but unlike the magnet, it has no attractive pole, but at all points repels.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Pride thyself on what virtue thou hast, and not on thy parentage.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
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
There is a certain noble pride, through which merits shine brighter than through modesty.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Pride is the mask we make of our faults.
—Hebrew Proverb
The last time I saw him he was walking down lover’s lane holding his own hand.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Humorist, Radio Personality
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
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
Pride leads to the destruction of man.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance.
—Jeremy Taylor
Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity.
—Vanna Bonta (1958–2014) Italian-American Novelist, Poet, Actress
Conceit is the quicksand of success.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
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 pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
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
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
Pride is a sign of the worst poverty—ignorance.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
Has God forgotten all I have done for Him.
—Louis XIV of France (1638–1715) King of France
O world, how apt the poor are to be proud!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Be modest! It is the kind of pride least likely to offend.
—Jules Renard (1864–1910) French Writer, Diarist
John Bunyan had a great dread of spiritual pride; and once, after he had preached a very fine sermon, and his friends crowded round to shake him by the hand, while they expressed the utmost admiration of his eloquence, he interrupted them, saying: “Ay! you need not remind me of that, for the Devil told me of it before I was out of the pulpit!”
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
The proud man is troubled at the slightest wind.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith