--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...a proud man who could do more than he…" description: "\"“...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do. It is not good for the spirit.”\" — Tad Williams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png" --- # ...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do… ![“...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do. It is not good for the spirit.” quote by Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png) > ““...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do. It is not good for the spirit.”” [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive pride and over‑extension can harm one's inner spirit and well‑being. **In simple terms:** Too much pride can damage the spirit. Key Takeaway Balance pride with humility. Themes pride spirit balance humility Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - leadership - creative work - personal growth Key Concepts ethics self‑awareness psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does pride become detrimental? - How can humility preserve spirit? A Different Perspective Pride can motivate but also alienate others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-spirit-2578692/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Man Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-asked/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Proud man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud-man/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [“Be of good spirit, walk in silence, push forth more actions than words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-johnson-jr/be-of-good-spirit-walk-in-silence-push-forth-more-actions-than-words/) [Henry Johnson Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-johnson-jr/) > [The city of Atlanta has always had a good spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-city-of-atlanta-has-always-had-a-good-spirit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know my spirit is not mean, and I have a very good spirit and a funny spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-know-my-spirit-is-not-mean-and-i-have-a-very-good-spirit-and-a/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [To preserve our cheerfulness amid sicknesses and troubles, is a sign of a right and good spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-neri/to-preserve-our-cheerfulness-amid-sicknesses-and-troubles-is-a-sign/) [Philip Neri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-neri/) > [Part of the talent of any company is to surround yourself with people who have good spirit and help you do more and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-jacobs/part-of-the-talent-of-any-company-is-to-surround-yourself-with-people/) [Marc Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-jacobs/) > [“I believe there is something be said for exploring beautiful places. It's good for the spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-there-is-something-be-said-for-exploring-beautiful-places/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/none-deserve-praise-for-being-good-who-have-not-the-spirit-to-be-bad/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/from-my-earliest-recollection-i-date-the-entertainment-of-a-deep/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [It was extraordinary to experience 'Mamma Mia!' What an injection of good spirit and heart it was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllida-lloyd/it-was-extraordinary-to-experience-mamma-mia-what-an-injection-of/) [Phyllida Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllida-lloyd/) > [Benevolence means whatever is good for your Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/benevolence-means-whatever-is-good-for-your-spirit/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [I know now what this meant, that the bison were the gift of a good spirit and were our strength, but we should lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/i-know-now-what-this-meant-that-the-bison-were-the-gift-of-a-good/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [Love is a very contradiction of all the elements of our ordinary nature -- it makes the proud man meek -- the cheerful, sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/love-is-a-very-contradiction-of-all-the-elements-of-our-ordinary/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [The biggest thing I'm proud of is becoming a man. Living my dreams? Yeah, that's cool, but me handling my business, you feel me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-homie-quan/the-biggest-thing-i-m-proud-of-is-becoming-a-man-living-my-dreams/) [Rich Homie Quan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-homie-quan/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More by Tad Williams > [“That is what I hate about ruling and royalty, Simon. It is living, breathing people with whom a prince plays the games of statecraft.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/that-is-what-i-hate-about-ruling-and-royalty-simon-it-is-living/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“If we do not reach our hands will always be empty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/if-we-do-not-reach-our-hands-will-always-be-empty/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Im Schlamm fing es an, wie so vieles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/im-schlamm-fing-es-an-wie-so-vieles/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“I'm tired of being lost and I'm tired of dying, so I'm going to try something different this time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/i-m-tired-of-being-lost-and-i-m-tired-of-dying-so-i-m-going-to-try/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“A piece of writing is a trap,” he said cheerily, “and the best kind. A book, you see, is the only kind of trap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-piece-of-writing-is-a-trap-he-said-cheerily-and-the-best-kind-a/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“He shouldn't have had to die." "Nobody should have to die," Miriamele said slowly. "Especially while they're still alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/he-shouldn-t-have-had-to-die-nobody-should-have-to-die-miriamele-said/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Fear goes where it is invited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/fear-goes-where-it-is-invited/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Because love does not do sums, but instead make choices, and then gives its all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/because-love-does-not-do-sums-but-instead-make-choices-and-then-gives/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [So we face our final hours...and all that was once certain has become uncertain. Except for defeat. That, as always, is the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/so-we-face-our-final-hours-and-all-that-was-once-certain-has-become/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Go down." It seemed obvious. "You have to go down before you can come out - that's how these things always work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/go-down-it-seemed-obvious-you-have-to-go-down-before-you-can-come-out/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“We call darkness our friend, but when the elders tell us stories of the Garden, they talk of the holy, unending light that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/we-call-darkness-our-friend-but-when-the-elders-tell-us-stories-of/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [Never trust people that like to call things by initials, that's my philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/never-trust-people-that-like-to-call-things-by-initials-that-s-my/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/we-tell-lies-when-we-are-afraid-afraid-of-what-we-don-t-know-afraid/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“How can you care for a rough man like me?' he asked me. 'How can you love a man who can bring you no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/how-can-you-care-for-a-rough-man-like-me-he-asked-me-how-can-you-love/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Piercing My Hearte there is A Golden Dagger; That is God Piercing God's Hearte there is a Golden Needle; That is me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/piercing-my-hearte-there-is-a-golden-dagger-that-is-god-piercing-god/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) [Explore all 143 Tad Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) ## More Greatness quotes > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Every man who is high up likes to think that he has done it all himself, and the wife smiles and lets it go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-man-who-is-high-up-likes-to-think-that-he-has-done-it-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straghtforward men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/what-we-shall-need-is-not-geniuses-or-cynics-or-misanthropes-or/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutherford-b-hayes/nothing-brings-out-the-lower-traits-of-human-nature-like-office/) [Rutherford B. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutherford-b-hayes/) > [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Every man remembers his childhood as a kind of mythical age, just as every nation's childhood is its mythical age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-leopardi/every-man-remembers-his-childhood-as-a-kind-of-mythical-age-just-as/) [Giacomo Leopardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-leopardi/) > [Greatness is not guarding yourself from people. Greatness is being accepted by the people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/greatness-is-not-guarding-yourself-from-people-greatness-is-being/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Great men don't 'move to the center' - great men move the center!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/great-men-don-t-move-to-the-center-great-men-move-the-center/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Men want a challenge, but they want a challenge they can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gaskell/men-want-a-challenge-but-they-want-a-challenge-they-can-win/) [Whitney Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-gaskell/) [Browse all 7,631 Greatness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do. It is not good for the spirit.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tad Williams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is-asked-to-do-it-is-not-good/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Greatness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is-asked-to-do-it-is-not-good/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/tad-williams-2777_greatness_a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is_1317595.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...a proud man who could do more than he is asked to do. It is not good for the spirit.” — Tad Williams", "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": "Tad Williams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“...a proud man who could do...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is-asked-to-do-it-is-not-good/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-proud-man-who-could-do-more-than-he-is-asked-to-do-it-is-not-good/#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 } } ] } ```