Photo credit: wisegeek.org
Chest is out
Shoulders back
Nose is high
Eyes wreak with pride
Heart is haughty
Selfish ambition
Lofty image
Ego inflated
World demands it
Employers respect it
Society accepts it
People bank on it
Arrogance
Have you ever met anybody that just wreaks with arrogance? How did that make you feel? I saw a man in a nice suit standing outside of my office building one time. He looked at me and I could just see through his eyes (the window of his soul) how little he thought of me and how great and powerful he thought he was. It didn’t hurt me at all. It didn’t make any difference on how I see myself and my place in the world. But it did make me think how ridiculous it is that someone actually thinks they’re better than someone else, maybe because of his clothes or work or who knows… What are your thoughts on arrogance?
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Published by stacilys
I’m just a simple girl that is passionate about being relevant and making a difference in this world.
World traveler, lover of bright sunny days, experiencing cultures, good friends and conversation. I love my God and love my family.
I don’t believe that I have the Truth, but that I have a relationship with Truth and want to be closer to Him.
Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver, BC. YWAMer since 2000 and have traveled and lived all over the world –Hong Kong, China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Turkey, Germany, Argentina, Australia and The USA.
I moved to Brazil in 2002, married an awesome “Baiano”, Daniel, and we have two adorable kiddies, Caue and Hannah.
I am certified in fitness and nutrition and conducted physical conditioning classes while working with an arts and evangelism team and schools. I am also certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners).
"A God Coloured Girl in a Grey World" is my blog where I write articles based on my faith, post fitness routines, recipes and other health and wellness stuff. You can also check out a bit of my music at www.myspace.com/stacilys
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stacilys.wordpress.com 
I should’ve entered this one as a pet peeve on my peeve’s list. The first time that I had a face-to-face meeting with a business associate, he tried to impress me by saying “I don’t know how to fail”. How arrogant! We all fail at one point in our lives. It is part of what makes us human. To be imperfect is to be human. I felt like sending him the story of Adam and Eve to remind him of our expulsion from perfection. I try to avoid arrogant people. I have not time to suffer their patronage and their attitude. Can you tell that you struck a nerve with me? lol
Hahahahaha, struck just a little nerve eh. I hear you. Arrogance seems so silly and futile. I just think it’s ridiculous actually.
=)
Lol yes! I have to learn to not let arrogant people bother me. 🙂
It always surprises me that people can carry arrogance. Humans are failable by nature. There’s always something we can learn and, no matter how much we know, there will always be something we don’t.
It reminds me of a blog I recently found called “Sundays are the worst.” it’s unfortunate, given the great message that religion can spread, that so many Christians come to mind when I read this. And I don’t say this to complain about Christians. It just so happens that I read your blog after reading a post on that website. That said, I think it’s worth checking out. It was started by a Tennessee pastor, from what I understand, as a way to reach out to people who have felt ostracized by Christians.
Great poem either way. You really got the imagery down.
Thanks a ton TK. Yup, I so hear you on how we are such failable creatures. I think that arrogance is so ridiculous. Like really, come on. Do you, Mr. nice suit man, really think you’re any better than me. Please. I love how you mentioned that there is always something we can learn. I’ve in recent years have really come to respect older/elderly people. So many of them have such wisdom and humility. Love that. And so many of them have learned to stop complicating life and just take things easy. I really value simplicity.
Thanks for telling me about the blog you mentioned. I’ll have to take a look at it.
By the way, have you ever read the book, “I’m Fine with God… It’s Christians I Can’t Stand”? It’s by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. I actually haven’t read it yet, but it’s next on my reading list.
=)
I haven’t heard about that book, but now I want to read it. In that same vein, may I recommend a short book of poems called “God Went to Beauty School”? It’s a really short read, but really thought provoking. It’s written from the perspective of God. What does God see when he walks into a cathedral? What does he think about when he sees a stray dog? What were his plans when he create the cosmos? I read that book a long time ago, but it is still one of the most unique books I have ever read.
Wow, that sounds like it would be an awesome read. I’m going to check it out on Amazon. Thank God for kindle apps. I can’t get many good books in English in Brazil. I always wait until I go to Canada so that I can get a truck (or plane) load full. I’m going to check on Amazon to see if they have it available in kindle. Thanks for the suggestion.
=)
Yeah, it’s available on kindle. Just bought it.
eu concordo todos nos falhamos senhor jesus o fala mais nem todo cumpre deus sim esse e verdadero esse cumpre tudo qui fala
Amem Gilberto. Não existe ninguém perfeito. Agora, se os arrogantes só puderam ver isso tb neh.
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Though I cannot remember her name, everytime I’ve seen her talking, my first thought is, “Who in the hell do you think you are?” I find her totally repulsive…and you know what? I don’t have the slightest idea why.
Lol. Hmmmmm, I wonder why eh. Arrogance is exactly that. Repulsive. I consider it the opposite of humility. According to John Wesley, humility is a right judgment of ourselves which cleanses our minds from those high conceits of our own perfections, from the undue opinions of our own abilities and attainments. Those who are humble are real, and not pretentious.
Blessings Richard =)
Arrogance for me is just another form of disconnection from one’s True Self and separation from who we see as Others, but are only ourselves really….when connection happens and separation fades away, usually through life giving them a kick in the ass or putting them through a painful tough time….the heart melts and the arrogance to…at least we can hope so and till then, feel compassion for perhaps we go through our moments of the same kind too 🙂
So well written Staci, your poem is great!!!!
Well said Neeta. I agree with you that arrogance is oftentimes a way that people sort of put up a front, or wear a mask. Either because of low self-esteem or feeling the need to compete in this world. Thinking that that is how one can get ahead, seem confident and look powerful. But then again, there are those that are like this simply because of pure pride. Actually thinking that they are better then others, unfortunately. I, on the other hand, value humility, which is quite counter-culture. Humility meaning knowing who you are as a person, being confident in that and respecting those that are different, not less, just simply different.
Blessings and thanks for such an awesome comment sweetie.
=)
I’ve met many people like the man you described. I wish I could say that it didn’t hurt me, but I’m pretty darn sensitive and sometimes it gets to me when I feel someone is looking down on me. I’m less bothered by it these days – I suppose age has made me less self conscious and more accepting of myself. I also have to admit that I’ve behaved in an arrogant manner at times. There are things I’ve said and done and that make me cringe when I remember them.
I also attempt (not very successfully) to have compassion for arrogant people because I sense that most of them feel empty. I think arrogance is often a mask people wear to cover their insecurity and looking down on others is a way to boost their faltering self esteem. Anywho, that’s what I think. Celeste 🙂
“I also attempt (not very successfully) to have compassion for arrogant people because I sense that most of them feel empty. I think arrogance is often a mask people wear to cover their insecurity and looking down on others is a way to boost their faltering self esteem.”
Well said Celeste. I agree with you totally. However, I also think that there are times when it is simply a strong pride issue.
I really think we humans are such silly creatures. We, different than any other living thing on the face of this earth, are the only creatures that have this power of the ‘will’. We can make choices, and aren’t just living out of instinct or even basic needs.
I just really think that arrogance and this attitude of ‘I’m better than you’ or ‘Look at how powerful/beautiful/rich/educated/whatever I am’ is so silly. As if one person is really better than another. When it all comes down to it, we are the same. We are all born into this world, grow up, eat, drink, breathe, use the bathroom, sleep, sing our song and dance our dance and then die.
I too have been arrogant in the past. I think we all have. Thanks for your honesty in sharing a little bit of your personal experience with this issue Celeste.
=)
Arrogance is a visible manifestation of pride, and the Bible teaches that “pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Observe an arrogant person long enough and they’ll one day merit the spiritual manifestation of the coded diagnosis I’ve seen written on patient’s charts in a hospital emergency rooms: “FDGS,” which is an acrostic for “Fall Down Go Splat !” Not that we want anyone to “go splat” but that is the consequence of the choice to opt for arrogance. Just saying… Ernie Culley. Vancouver
Hi Ernie. Love how you put ‘Vancouver’. As if I wouldn’t already know that. hehehe.
Yes, arrogance is very ugly. I’m sure a lot of people act so because of insecurity and the need to feel like they are ‘in the game’. The need to compete for power or prove themselves as worthy. Unfortunately, this is what the world expects and even accepts as strong. Humility is counter-culture and frowned upon by the many (possibly even the majority).
Thanks for the comment and insight Ernie. Much appreciated.
Blessings =)
Great post, Staci.
I abhor arrogance, I think it is one of the worst traits a person can have. Who are we to decide if we are better than others, surely that’s something for people other than ourselves to decide? Arrogance and ego are often the traits of a person who cannot lay claim to being better than others simply by the way that they convey themselves to those around them. Often they are people who have a distorted view of the world and their place in it, thinking themselves to be better than others because of wealth, status etc.
Some folks who have little in the way of money, social status etc. are often some of the richest people in this world, emotionally speaking. Personally, I’d prefer to be richer in humanity than I am financially.
“Personally, I’d prefer to be richer in humanity than I am financially.”
–Here here to that Heather. I once heard (or read) something about the happiest people in the world being from some place like Vanuatu or something like that. They had very little and ate roots, but were so much happier than those in the western world, striving to achieve the ‘good life’.
I also can’t stand arrogance. I think it’s quite pathetic actually. Sometimes one is arrogant because of poor self-esteem and looking down on others somehow makes them feel better about themselves. Sometimes it’s because of the way they were taught; what they learned from others, parents, teachers, society. And sometimes it’s just plain dirty old pride. At any rate, it’s not beautiful, that’s for sure.
Thanks for the comment Heather.
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I had to talk to the guy and he seemed to comment on everything as if he was the most perfect guy.
Oh yes, the ‘I’m so perfect’ syndrome. Some people are just so silly, don’t you think? What do you mean, “you had to talk to the guy”? Did you confront him about his arrogance?
Thanks for the comment.
=)
I’ve dealt with a lot of arrogant people in my life unfortunately, mostly through work. Luckily I never stayed long in their presence, but I find it sad that they choose to live that way. There is nothing to gain through arrogance, but isolation and emptiness. It used to bother me being around arrogant people when I was younger, but I don’t mind anymore.
Oh yea, I think as we get older, we start to let go of silly things. Like arrogant people. We stop letting their arrogance bother us so much.
Thanks for sharing Crystal.
🙂