Treatment of Arrogance
The arrogant should recognize his reality: his origin is a dirty sperm and his end is stinky carrion. Between these two, man is weak and feeble. Hunger and thirst exhaust him, ailment and sickness overcome him, poverty and harm afflict him, and death and wear will inevitably befall him. Man cannot provide benefits and cannot save himself from misfortunes:
“There is the life hereafter which We have prepared for those who do not want to impose their superiority over the others in the land nor commit evil therein. The happy end certainly belongs to the pious ones. (28:83)"
Hence, the best people are the most well-mannered, helpful, pious, and righteous.
Man should keep in mind the advantages of modesty as well as the disadvantages of arrogance. It is said: “For people of reason, modesty with ignorance and stinginess is better than arrogance with mannerism and open handed. Modesty, then, is such a great good feature covering two bad qualities, and arrogance is such a bad quality screening two good traits." (1)
Notes:
1. Quoted from ar-Raghib; Muhadharat ul-Udabaa.
Ethical Role-Models by Sayyid Mahdi as-Sadr
Other links:
Slandering and Talking behind the Back of Others is a Sin
When Are We Allowed to Talk behind the Back of Others?
Consequences of Unlawful Money in One’s Life
How to Treat Subordinates?
Postponing the Repentance
