“One of our worst habits is noticing the defects of others before we see our own. But if we are to attain discernment, we must start from within, looking at ourselves as in a mirror, with honesty and like an outside observer. We should ask what we’d think if we saw someone doing what we do.

Invariably it is pride that blinds us to our flaws, both moral and physical. This attitude is a violation of the law of love. True love goes hand in hand with humbleness of heart and tolerance. Love that consents to arrogance of heart is a contradiction in terms: These two feelings negate each other. After all, how can a person so conceited as to think herself superior to others be selfless enough to notice the good qualities in them? In her mind, to highlight the good qualities of another is to eclipse herself, while to denigrate another is a way to raise herself. Pride is a source of many vices, but it is also a force that represses many virtues. Unfortunately, in pride we can find the motive and basis for a multitude of human actions, which is why Jesus- who recognized pride as the chief obstacle to human progress- fought so hard against it."

(The Gospel - Explained by the Spiritist Doctrine, Chapter X, Allan Kardec)