--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who prides himself upon wealth and…" description: "\"He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg" --- # He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his… ![“He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg) > “He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pride in wealth and honor leads to downfall; humility prevents it. **In simple terms:** Pride invites ruin. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility over material pride. Themes humility wealth honor downfall ethics Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political ambition - corporate culture - personal ambition Key Concepts moral philosophy self-awareness balance Questions to Reflect On - How can humility be practiced daily? - What signs show pride is influencing decisions? A Different Perspective Excessive pride can be justified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Downfall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downfall/) [Hastens Downfall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hastens-downfall-622154/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Honor Hastens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor-hastens-622155/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Prides Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prides-wealth-622157/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [Wealth Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth-honor-622156/) ## Related quotes > [A good example is a better legacy for children than wealth or honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/a-good-example-is-a-better-legacy-for-children-than-wealth-or-honor/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [Character is power; it makes friends, draws patronage and support and opens the way to wealth, honor and happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howe/character-is-power-it-makes-friends-draws-patronage-and-support-and/) [John Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howe/) > [My daily affairs are quite ordinary; but I'm in total harmony with them. I don't hold on to anything, don't reject anything; nowhere an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layman-pang/my-daily-affairs-are-quite-ordinary-but-i-m-in-total-harmony-with/) [Layman Pang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layman-pang/) > [Goods and possessions are no gain in his eyes. He stays far from wealth and honor. Long life is no ground for joy, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/goods-and-possessions-are-no-gain-in-his-eyes-he-stays-far-from/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Man's obsession to add to his wealth and honor is the chief source of his misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-s-obsession-to-add-to-his-wealth-and-honor-is-the-chief-source-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no poverty where there is character, and no wealth or honor where character is missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/there-is-no-poverty-where-there-is-character-and-no-wealth-or-honor/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [The Master said, "Wealth and honor are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-wealth-and-honor-are-things-that-all-people-desire/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to-the-station-in-which-he-is-he/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Displaying riches and titles with pride brings about one's downfall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/displaying-riches-and-titles-with-pride-brings-about-one-s-downfall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-honor-can-there-be-without-humility-what-heights-can-be-reached/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Greetings, O Great Gazoo. How nice of you to join us here on planet Earth again. (Cael) Thanks, Barney. How’s Betty and Bam Bam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/greetings-o-great-gazoo-how-nice-of-you-to-join-us-here-on-planet/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I feel like the downfall of any person is the second an artist starts celebrating their work themselves, that becomes problematic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/questlove/i-feel-like-the-downfall-of-any-person-is-the-second-an-artist-starts/) [Questlove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/questlove/) > [ Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party \[Communist Party of China\] and the downfall of the state \[People's Republic of China\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xi-jinping/corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of-the-party-communist-party-of/) [Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xi-jinping/) > [This town will be the downfall of us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/this-town-will-be-the-downfall-of-us-all/) [A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Downfall quotes > [This town will be the downfall of us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/this-town-will-be-the-downfall-of-us-all/) [A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/) > [ Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party \[Communist Party of China\] and the downfall of the state \[People's Republic of China\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xi-jinping/corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of-the-party-communist-party-of/) [Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xi-jinping/) > [I feel like the downfall of any person is the second an artist starts celebrating their work themselves, that becomes problematic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/questlove/i-feel-like-the-downfall-of-any-person-is-the-second-an-artist-starts/) [Questlove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/questlove/) > [Greetings, O Great Gazoo. How nice of you to join us here on planet Earth again. (Cael) Thanks, Barney. How’s Betty and Bam Bam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/greetings-o-great-gazoo-how-nice-of-you-to-join-us-here-on-planet/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-most-foolish-mistake-we-could-possibly-make-would-be-to-permit/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [For what am I to myself without You, but a guide to my own downfall?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-what-am-i-to-myself-without-you-but-a-guide-to-my-own-downfall/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like food too much to go on some crazy diet. French fries are my favorite downfall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-madison/i-like-food-too-much-to-go-on-some-crazy-diet-french-fries-are-my/) [Holly Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-madison/) > [What I've learned is not to take anybody's advice. If you rely solely on your fans, it sets you up for the downfall on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/what-i-ve-learned-is-not-to-take-anybody-s-advice-if-you-rely-solely/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) > [Like Achilles, the hero who forgot his heel, or like Icarus who, flying close to the sun, forgot that his wings were made of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-longenecker/like-achilles-the-hero-who-forgot-his-heel-or-like-icarus-who-flying/) [Dwight Longenecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-longenecker/) > [When under the influence of certain (or some) reasons (or causes) (alcohol, war, etc - added Spir here) the low instincts are unbridled (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/when-under-the-influence-of-certain-or-some-reasons-or-causes-alcohol/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [The downfall of civilized states tends to come not from the direct assaults of foes, but from internal decay combined with the consequences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-downfall-of-civilized-states-tends-to-come-not-from-the-direct/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [“A company’s success can contribute to its financial and cultural downfall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/a-company-s-success-can-contribute-to-its-financial-and-cultural/) [Becca Spradlin, Lead On Mission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/) > [I’m overwhelmed. My biggest downfall is my brightest blessing, I feel too much, all the time. Ya Allah, if it’ll keep my heart soft,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warsan-shire/i-m-overwhelmed-my-biggest-downfall-is-my-brightest-blessing-i-feel/) [Warsan Shire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warsan-shire/) > [“Life can beat you down and at times make you feel unlovable it can distort your sense to the point where you don't recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aireen-c-pontillo/life-can-beat-you-down-and-at-times-make-you-feel-unlovable-it-can/) [Aireen C. Pontillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aireen-c-pontillo/) > [It is but little of the world yet that hath heard the lost estate of mankind and of a Savior, Christ Jesus; and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-williams/it-is-but-little-of-the-world-yet-that-hath-heard-the-lost-estate-of/) [Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/) [Browse all 234 Downfall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downfall/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-honor-hastens-his-own-downfall/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Downfall" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-honor-hastens-his-own-downfall/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/laozi-147_downfall_he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-ho_2457444.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who prides himself upon wealth...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-honor-hastens-his-own-downfall/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-honor-hastens-his-own-downfall/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```