Pride

Pride is an evil quality that makes a person believe that he is superior to the next person. Shaitaan had this evil quality in him, so he was cursed forever. A person, who has knowledge or does a lot of Ibaadat, may find himself empty-handed by Allah Ta’ala if he does not purify himself of pride. It is like a barrel with a hole or which is perforated at the bottom. You may fill it with as much water as you want, but it will always remain empty. If ever it is filled, it would be for a short while only. But, at the end, it will be emptied. Similarly, a person who has pride will never prosper. As long as a person will have pride in him, he will not enter Jannah because Jannah was not made for proud people.

[English version of "L’orgueil" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.11]