It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously

Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.

God's blessings are dispensed according to the riches of his grace, not according to the depth of our faith.

Never be haughty to the humble, never be humble to the haughty.

frustration, complication and misery are available in abundance, but so is God's grace.

More people are ruined by victory, I imagine, than be defeat.

All theisms—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—the difference between the self and God is radical. Pride is the fundamental sin of human beings.

Even when the angel asks him specifically, "Do you not know what these are?" Zechariah answers with humility, "No, my lord." Had Zechariah not responded with humility and openness, he probably would not have gained much from the whole experience. People who think they know it all already cut themselves off from learning anything new.

Once ego and pride are on the line, you can't change your mind without looking bad. The desire to save face trumps the desire to make the right call.

how much did pride count in the ebullition of passions in his breast?

Now the spectacle was before him in its glory, and as he looked out on it he felt shy, old-fashioned, inadequate: a mere grey speck of a man compared with the ruthless magnificent fellow he had dreamed of being....

it became clear to her observers that she was not quick at shifting her facial scenery. It was as though her countenance had so long been set in an expression of unchallenged superiority that the muscles had stiffened, and refused to obey her orders.