Sir,
There is nothing in the World which I am more afraid of, than being thought guilty of Pride; and therefore I shall endeavour to avoid it as much as possible. Yet, notwithstanding this Care, I cannot but observe, that there are few People entirely free from it; and that it often disguises itself under the Appearance of the most specious Virtues.
Some value themselves upon their Birth, others upon their Wealth; some upon their Learning, others upon their Piety; and there are not wanting those who pride themselves in their very Humility. But whatever be the Object, Pride is still the same Thing; and though it may assume different Shapes, it always produces the same Effects.
I have frequently observed, that nothing renders a Man more ridiculous, than an immoderate Opinion of his own Merit. Such a Person is generally impatient of Contradiction, and cannot bear to hear another praised, without immediately endeavouring to turn the Discourse upon himself.
On the other Hand, I have always taken a particular Pleasure in the Company of those who have a just Sense of their own Weakness. Such Persons are commonly candid and tractable, ready to acknowledge their Mistakes, and willing to profit by the Advice of others. Their Modesty gives a Lustre to their other good Qualities.
If Men would examine themselves impartially, they would soon discover, that Pride is one of the greatest Enemies to their Happiness. It exposes them to continual Mortifications, renders them uneasy in Prosperity, and miserable in Adversity.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
Silence Dogood
Notes on the Text
- Published anonymously under the Silence Dogood pseudonym.
- Authorship later attributed to Benjamin Franklin.
- Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation reflect early eighteenth-century printing conventions.
- Minor textual variations appear across later collections and printings.