Deep is the sea, and deep is hell, but pride mineth deeper; it is coiled as a poisonous worm about the foundations of the soul.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
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
Pride is increased by ignorance; those assume the most who know the least.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
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
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
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
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 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
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
He who hardens his heart with pride softens his brain with the same.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The Messiah will not come until haughtiness shall have ceased among men.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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 a sign of the worst poverty — ignorance.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
The sin of pride may be a small or a great thing in someone’s life, and hurt vanity a passing pinprick, or a self-destroying or ever murderous obsession.
—Iris Murdoch (1919–99) British Novelist, Playwright, Philosopher
By profession I am a Soldier and take pride in that fact, but I am prouder to be a father.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
The proud are pettish and the pettish are foolish.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
To be proud and inaccessible is to be timid and weak.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742) French Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
Humility is pride in God
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
The prayers of the proud are never heard.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
It is pride which plies the world with so much harshness and severity. We are as rigorous to offenses as if we had never offended.
—Paxton Blair
What you say of the pride of giving life to an immortal soul is very fine dear, but I own I cannot enter into that: I think much more of our being like a cow or a dog at such moments: when our poor nature becomes so very animal and unecstatic.
—Queen Victoria (1819–1901) British Royal
Pride, avarice, and envy are in every home.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Labor wants also pride and joy in doing good work, a sense of making or doing something beautiful or useful – to be treated with dignity and respect as brother and sister
—Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929) American Economist, Social Critic
Pride is pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
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
Even to his own household the overbearing is distasteful.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
A penny in an empty box rattles loudly.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Pride leads to the destruction of man.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
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
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
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
The proud man is troubled at the slightest wind.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.
—Julius Caesar (c.100–44BCE) Roman Statesman, Military General
Pride is like idolatry.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
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
Riches are apt to betray a man into arrogance.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor