--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...if pride, that plague of human nature…" description: "\"“...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of so much misery, did not hinder it; for this vice does not measure happiness so much by its ow..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg" --- # ...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of… ![“...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of so much misery, did not hinder it; for this vice does not measure happiness so much by its own conveniences, as by the misery of others; and would not be satisfied with being thought a goddess, if none were left that were miserable, over…” quote by Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg) > ““...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of so much misery, did not hinder it; for this vice does not measure happiness so much by its own conveniences, as by the misery of others; and would not be satisfied with being thought a goddess, if none were left that were miserable, over whom she might insult. Pride thinks its own happiness shines the brighter, by comparing it with the misfortunes of other persons; that by displaying its own wealth they may feel their poverty the more sensibly.”” [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques pride as a destructive force that measures happiness by others' suffering. **In simple terms:** Pride harms by comparing to others' misery. Key Takeaway Avoid pride, seek genuine happiness. Themes pride ethics human nature Mood reflective philosophical Type ethical psychological When to use this quote - leadership - social interactions - conflict resolution Key Concepts moral philosophy comparative happiness Questions to Reflect On - How does pride affect your decisions? - Can pride ever be constructive? A Different Perspective Pride can sometimes motivate achievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humanism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanism/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Political philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-philosophy/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) ## Related quotes > [Pride thinks it's own happiness shines the brighter by comparing it with the misfortunes of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/pride-thinks-it-s-own-happiness-shines-the-brighter-by-comparing-it/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“Pride thinks its own happiness shines the brighter, by comparing it with the misfortunes of other persons; that by displaying its own wealth they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-thomas-more/pride-thinks-its-own-happiness-shines-the-brighter-by-comparing-it/) [Sir Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-thomas-more/) > [“but in Utopia, where every man has a right to everything, they all know that if care is taken to keep the public stores…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/but-in-utopia-where-every-man-has-a-right-to-everything-they-all-know/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“A prosperous nation is eager to learn new things daily but a dying nation is full of pride everyone thinks he/she knows it all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/a-prosperous-nation-is-eager-to-learn-new-things-daily-but-a-dying/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Nearly all creators of Utopia have resembled the man who has toothache, and therefore thinks happiness consists in not having toothache.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/nearly-all-creators-of-utopia-have-resembled-the-man-who-has-3/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“The world thinks that happiness is the result of others serving us, but real joy comes when we serve others in the name of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-world-thinks-that-happiness-is-the-result-of-others-serving-us/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [U.K. psychologist Daniel Nettle thinks of happiness as a carrot on a stick, designed by evolution to show the right way, and also designed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/u-k-psychologist-daniel-nettle-thinks-of-happiness-as-a-carrot-on-a/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [She thinks that happiness is a mat that sits on her doorway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-thomas/she-thinks-that-happiness-is-a-mat-that-sits-on-her-doorway/) [Rob Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-thomas/) > [May God want for man to be able to be a child again to understand that he is mistaken if he thinks he can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/facundo-cabral/may-god-want-for-man-to-be-able-to-be-a-child-again-to-understand/) [Facundo Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/facundo-cabral/) > [I think students should know something about religion as a historical phenomenon, in the same way that they should know something about socialism and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/i-think-students-should-know-something-about-religion-as-a-historical/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [“The education of youth belongs to the priests, yet they do not take so much care of instructing them in letters, as in forming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/the-education-of-youth-belongs-to-the-priests-yet-they-do-not-take-so/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“There is more that unites us than divides us. So make it a point to talk with someone who is different from you. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-corn/there-is-more-that-unites-us-than-divides-us-so-make-it-a-point-to/) [Johnny Corn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-corn/) > [“When you fear nothing, you have nothing to fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-f-chandler/when-you-fear-nothing-you-have-nothing-to-fear/) S.F. Chandler > [ People of Haiti, I am the heir to the political philosophy, the doctrine and the revolution which my late father incarnated as president-for-life \[and\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-duvalier/people-of-haiti-i-am-the-heir-to-the-political-philosophy-the/) [Jean-Claude Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-duvalier/) > [Anarchism as a political philosophy seeks to dissolve all forms of authority and power, and if possible, wishes their complete abolition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/anarchism-as-a-political-philosophy-seeks-to-dissolve-all-forms-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## More by Thomas More > [“But what they find most amazing and despicable is the insanity of those who all but worship the rich, to whom they owe nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/but-what-they-find-most-amazing-and-despicable-is-the-insanity-of/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > ["Tell me, what's Love?" said Youth, one day, To drooping Age, who crost his way, "It is a sunny hour of play, For which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/tell-me-what-s-love-said-youth-one-day-to-drooping-age-who-crost-his/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“Why do you suppose they made you king in the first place?' I ask him. 'Not for your benefit, but for theirs. They meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/why-do-you-suppose-they-made-you-king-in-the-first-place-i-ask-him/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“This lively health, when entirely free from all mixture of pain, of itself gives an inward pleasure, independent of all external objects of delight;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/this-lively-health-when-entirely-free-from-all-mixture-of-pain-of/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [Nobody sees a flower really,it is so small. We haven't time,and to see takes time- like to have a friend takes time. One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/nobody-sees-a-flower-really-it-is-so-small-we-haven-t-time-and-to-see/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [Friendship demands attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/friendship-demands-attention/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“(...) personal prejudice and financial greed are the two great evils that threaten courts of law, and once they get the upper hand they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/personal-prejudice-and-financial-greed-are-the-two-great-evils-that/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [Pride thinks it's own happiness shines the brighter by comparing it with the misfortunes of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/pride-thinks-it-s-own-happiness-shines-the-brighter-by-comparing-it/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [In the first place, most princes apply themselves to the arts of war, in which I have neither ability nor interest, instead of to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/in-the-first-place-most-princes-apply-themselves-to-the-arts-of-war/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [No living creature is naturally greedy, except from fear of want - or in the case of human beings, from vanity, the notion that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/no-living-creature-is-naturally-greedy-except-from-fear-of-want-or-in/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [Lord, give me a sense of humor so that I may take some happiness from this life and share it with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/lord-give-me-a-sense-of-humor-so-that-i-may-take-some-happiness-from/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“The leaving him thus did not a little gratify one that was more fond of travelling than of returning home to be buried in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/the-leaving-him-thus-did-not-a-little-gratify-one-that-was-more-fond/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [There are several sorts of religions, not only in different parts of the island, but even in every town; some worshipping the sun, others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/there-are-several-sorts-of-religions-not-only-in-different-parts-of/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [“... the way to heaven is the same from all places, and he that had no grave had the heavens still over him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/the-way-to-heaven-is-the-same-from-all-places-and-he-that-had-no/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [I would uphold the law if for no other reason but to protect myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/i-would-uphold-the-law-if-for-no-other-reason-but-to-protect-myself/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) [Explore all 126 Thomas More quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) ## More Happiness quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I've got nothing to do today but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-got-nothing-to-do-today-but-smile/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/her-dignity-consists-in-being-unknown-to-the-world-her-glory-is-in/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/positive-thinking-evokes-more-energy-more-initiative-more-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes [Browse all 40,288 Happiness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of so much misery, did not hinder it; for this vice does not measure happiness so much by its own conveniences, as by the misery of others; and would not be satisfied with being thought a goddess, if none were left that were miserable, over whom she might insult. Pride thinks its own happiness shines the brighter, by comparing it with the misfortunes of other persons; that by displaying its own wealth they may feel their poverty the more sensibly.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas More" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-that-source-of-so-much-misery/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Happiness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-that-source-of-so-much-misery/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/thomas-more-3382_happiness_if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-tha_1036173.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...if pride, that plague of human nature, that source of so much misery, did not hinder it; for this vice…” — Thomas More", "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": "Thomas More", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“...if pride, that plague of human...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-that-source-of-so-much-misery/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/if-pride-that-plague-of-human-nature-that-source-of-so-much-misery/#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 } } ] } ```