Tradition

"ما مِنْ رَجُل تَجَبَّرَ أَوْ تَكَبَّرَ إلاّ لِذِلَّة يَجِدُها فِى نَفْسِهِ"

Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) is narrated to have said: “There is no person who acts arrogantly towards others except for a weakness which he senses within himself.”1

Brief Commentary

Today, it has been shown through psychological studies that the root of arrogance and prideful behavior can be found in a feeling of inferiority that people possess within themselves. People who suffer from this inferiority complex try to use this misguided technique to show themselves as being superior to others. Yet, this type of behavior only adds to their inferiority because people recognize them for who they are. Over time, this kind of behavior increases the people’s hate and disgust for them. This psychological issue has been mentioned over a thousand years ago by Imam al-Sadiq (‘a). On the other hand, people who have faith are affected by a particular inner state which inclines them towards modesty and humbleness.

• 1. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 73, p. 225.