He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
There was one who thought himself above me, and he was above me until he had that thought.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
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
Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and parliaments
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Sure of their qualities and demanding praise, more go to ruined fortunes than are raised.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
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
Pride and humiliation hand in hand
Walked with them through the world where’er they went;
Trampled and beaten were they as the sand,
And yet unshaken as the continent.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Pride, which inspires us with so much envy, serves also to moderate it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Pride often defeats its own end, by bringing the man who seeks esteem and reverence, into contempt.
—Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (1678–1751) English Politician, Philosopher
Pride is still aiming at the best houses: Men would be angels, angels would be gods. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell; aspiring to be angels men rebel.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
The prayers of the proud are never heard.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
O world, how apt the poor are to be proud!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
There are proud men of so much delicacy that it almost conceals their pride, and perfectly excuses it.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
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
Pride and conceit were the original sin of man.
—Alain-Rene Lesage (1668–1747) French Novelist, Dramatist
Swallow your pride occasionally, it’s non-fattening.
—Unknown
Pride will spit in pride’s face.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Even to his own household the overbearing is distasteful.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Pride, as it is compounded of the vanity and ill nature that dispose men to admire themselves, and contemn other men, retains its vigor longer than any other vice, and rarely expires but with life itself. Without the sovereign influence of God’s grace, men very rarely put off all the trappings of their pride till they who are about them put on their winding-sheet.
—Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–74) English Statesman, Historian
Pride is a vice, which pride itself inclines every man to find in others, and to overlook in himself.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Every man has a right to be conceited until he is successful.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
I hear the words, the thoughts, the feeling tones, the personal meaning, even the meaning that is below the conscious intent of the speaker. Sometimes too, in a message which superficially is not very important, I hear a deep human cry that lies buried and unknown far below the surface of the person. So I have learned to ask myself, can I hear the sounds and sense the shape of this other person’s inner world? Can I resonate to what he is saying so deeply that I sense the meanings he is afraid of, yet would like to communicate, as well as those he knows?
—Carl Rogers (1902–1987) American Psychologist
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
Pride is the ape of charity, in show not much unlike, but somewhat fuller of action. They are two parallels, never but asunder; charity feeds the poor, so does pride; charity builds an hospital, so does pride. In this they differ: charity gives her glory to God; pride takes her glory from man.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
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
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