“ In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. ”
Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1791). copy citation
| Author | Benjamin Franklin |
|---|---|
| Source | The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
| Topic | passion weakness pride |
| Date | 1791 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20203/20203-h/20203-h.htm |
Context
“And to this habit (after my character of integrity) I think it principally owing that I had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens when I proposed new institutions, or alterations in the old, and so much influence in public councils when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my points.
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” source
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” source
Meaning and analysis
