We've seen the false humility of those who keep denying they have special talents and gifts. We've seen the grandparents endlessly boasting about their grandchildren. We've come to know pride by observing others. But we come to know the most honestly by looking within ourselves. Let's be clear, pride is different from healthy self-esteem.
Pride is self-esteem propped up at the expense of others.
It is the swelling of the heart filled with self-importance. Pride raises us up above others until we can look down on everyone. It is a spiritual cancer, eating up possibilities fro friendship and love and community. Pride is a deadly sin. Pride stands behind Hitler's war on the Jews, apartheid in South Africa, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, and racism everywhere.