On Pride
Other people’s opinion of us — there is the mirror before which almost everyone without exception preens. A person presents himself as he would like others to see him. The reality, as it is in itself, is known to no one, himself included. And what lives and acts is some invented figure. The pull toward this falsehood is so strong that a person sacrifices even himself to it. By this he distorts his own nature — the one and unrepeatable thing that each human person is. And yet how we are always captivated by meeting someone free of this vice, and how we love children, whose consciousness has not yet ripened, for their complete simplicity and directness.
Better sin with repentance than righteousness with self-assurance.
A person’s opinion of himself is the wall that separates him from God.
As soon as you feel pride taking hold of you because of the good works you have done, at once call to mind your sins, so as to calm your foolish arrogance. Do the same when you see your neighbour going astray: at once call to mind his virtues too.
Why are you puffed up and haughty, O man? Why are you so swollen, and raise yourself higher than the clouds? Consider your nature: you are earth and ashes, and in a little while you will turn to dust.
Pride is an underwater rock on which even those who for a long time withstood the storms of the passions and various trials have often been wrecked.
Pride is the proof of a shallow mind.
All sins are loathsome before God, but most loathsome of all is pride.
Humble your proud thought before pride becomes a passion and subdues you. Throw down your haughtiness and self-exaltation — your high opinion of yourself — before foul lust takes hold of you and crushes you.
Most of all we should fear the thought that we are already living a godly life.
To recognise pride in yourself, observe how you feel when those around you do something not according to your wish. If you feel no desire to put right with gentleness a mistake someone else has made, but are displeased and angry, then know that you are very proud. If even a slight failure in the affairs of your life causes sorrow, heaviness and gloom, so that the thought that your affairs are guided by divine providence does not gladden you, then know that you are very proud. If the failure of others, even of your enemies, gladdens you, while the successes of those close to you grieve you, know that you are very proud. If gentle remarks about your failings offend you, while praise of merits you do not have gladdens and delights you, know that you are very proud. James, Archbishop of Nizhny Novgorod
When reproach or insult weighs on you, know that it brings you great benefit. By humiliation vainglory is driven out of you.
It is better to gain humility by feeling your own weakness and failings than to fall into pride by hoping for a false improvement.
Whom am I like when I set out to crush my pride? I am like a man who tries to pull down a mountain with his feeble hands. I use every strength, I apply all my knowledge. I see that the dream cannot be fulfilled — the mountain stands firm — but I do not give up. I see that I labour in vain; I weep over my weakness, I murmur at my unfulfillable plan. Sorrow clouds my mind, listlessness takes hold of my body, hopelessness gnaws at my heart. “Why do you torment yourself,” others tell me, “no one needs your labour.” “It is needed,” I answer through my tears, “it is needed — for God Himself is helping me in it.” Hieromonk Vasily, New Martyr of Optina
Why do you pride yourself on your homeland (Jesus as it were says), when I tell you that you are a stranger in this world, and when you can become such that the whole world is not worthy of you.
