"A noble man need not pretend to be virtuous, any more than a well-spoken man feigns eloquence. When a man exaggerates his qualities it is because of something lacking in him; the bully gives himself airs because he is conscious of his weakness. Pride is ugly in all men … it is worse than cruelty, which is the worst kind of sins, and humility is better than clemency, which is the best of all good deeds."
Al-Jahiz

January 1, 1970

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Original Language: English

Sources

The Book of Misers

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Al-Jahiz