Pride is a very unaccountable vice: many people fall into it unawares,
and are often led into it by motives, which, if they considered things
rightly, would make them abhor the very thoughts of it. There is no man
that thinks well of himself, but desires that the rest of the world
should think so too. Now it is the wrong measures we take in
endeavouring after this, that expose us to discerning people in that
light which they call pride, and which is so far from giving us any
advantage in their esteem, that it renders us despicable and ridiculous.
It is an affectation of appearing considerable, that puts men upon being
proud and insolent; and their very being so makes them, infallibly,
little, and inconsiderable. The man that claims and calls for reverence
and respect, deserves none; he that asks for applause, is sure to lose
it; the certain way to get it is to seem to shun it; and the humble man,
according to the maxims even of this world, is the most likely to be
exalted. He that, in his words or actions, pleads for superiority, and
rather chooses to do an ill action, than condescend to do a good one,
acts like the Horse, and is as void of reason and understanding. The
rich and the powerful want nothing but the love and esteem of mankind to
complete their felicity; and these they are sure to obtain by a
good-humoured, kind condescension; and as certain of being every body's
aversion, while the least tincture of overbearing rudeness is
perceptible in their words or actions. What brutal tempers must they be
of, who can be easy and indifferent, while they know themselves to be
universally hated, though in the midst of affluence and power! But this
is not all; for if ever the wheel of fortune should whirl them from the
top to the bottom, instead of friendship or commiseration, they will
meet with nothing but contempt; and that with much more justice than
ever they themselves exerted it towards others.