The third bough of pride is arrogance, which one calls overweening or
presumption, when the man thinks more of himself than he should; that is
to say, that thinks he is worth more than he is, or that he can do more
than he can, or that he knows more than he does, or thinks that he is
worth more, or more able, or more knowing than any other. This sin is
the strength of the devil, for it protects and nourishes all the great
spiritual sins. This sin shows itself in many ways, either by deed or by
speech, but especially in six ways; to wit, in singularity, for the
proud and the presumptuous thinks that he is more worthy and knows more
than any others, and deigns not to do as others that are more worthy
than he is, but rather will be singular in his deeds. That is the first
sin by which overweening is (shown) in deed.
The second is foolish undertaking of great expense, which one calls
prodigality, when he doth too much spending, either of his own or of
other men’s, in order to be praised, and therefore that one should hold
him (to be) the more liberal and the more courteous.
The third evil that comes of overweening is foolish undertaking of false
strife, as Solomon says; that is to say, whoever takes a false strife in
hand, and knows well that it is false, and follows it.
The fourth twig of the same bough, whereby the proud shows the pride of
his heart, is boasting, which is a very foul sin both to God and to the
world. The boaster is the cuckoo, which cannot sing, but of himself.
This sin is found (bound) in him who by his own mouth boasts, either of
his wit, or of his kin, or of his works, or of his prowess. But it (the
sin) doubles itself in those whom the boaster and the liar seeks, and
counsels, and gives them of his own, for them to praise and to say of
him (them) what he (they) dare not say, and to lie concerning him
(them), and to boast his (their) nobility.
The fifth offshoot of the same stock is scorn. For that is the wont of
the proud overweener, that it is not enough for him to despise in his
heart the others that have not the graces that he thinks he has, but
makes his mockings and his scorns, and, what is worse, mocks and scorns
the good men, and (of) those that he sees turn to good, which is very
great sin and very dreadful. But by their evil tongues they turn aside
much folk from doing well.
The sixth offshoot of the same bough is withstanding. That is when the
man withstands all them that would do him good. For the proud
overweener, if one reproves him, he excuses himself, if one chastens him
he is wroth, if one advises him well he believes none but his own wit.
It is a perilous sickness when one cannot endure that one may teach him,
and to whom all medicines turn into venom.