Pride's Degradation: Why Superiority Breeds Ruin

A man's pride shall bring him low.—Proverbs 29:23

Pride, though it assumes superiority, manifests a tendency toward degradation. Consider two grave consequences:

First, pride subjects a man to the imputation of folly. No station in life—neither abundance of riches nor superior endowments of mind—warrants indulgence in this corrupt passion. The acquisition of fame, the flatteries of self-love, and consciousness of distinguished merit should never swell the heart with arrogance. The truest marks of superior greatness and wisdom are modesty and humility, freed from false shame and unspoiled by affectation.

Second, pride produces the various evils and general depravity that follow in its wake. The text is verified repeatedly: pride produces poverty. More persons have sunk into destitution from this cause than any other. The proud man squanders resources maintaining pompous vanity, seldom sparing a charitable mite for those in need. Pride breeds continual mortification—petty vexations compounded with every vain, selfish, and malignant passion. This base emotion produces more quarrels, bitterness, and strife than anything else, creating a watchful, incessant jealousy that transforms mild exhortation into accusation and friendly remonstrance into reproach.

The proud man sits upon an imaginary eminence of his own creation, propagating servility and wretchedness all around him. From whatever cause pride proceeds, it always betokens weakness, folly, and corruption.