the leprosy of the soul

Take heed of pride and haughtiness of spirit. Pride is the great master-scar of the soul;
it will bud and blossom--it cannot be hidden. Pride is the leprosy of the soul, which breaks forth in the very forehead!

Pride is . . .

  the sum of all vileness,

  a sea of sin,

  a mother sin,
  a breeding sin--

  a sin which has all sorts of sin in its womb!

In pride, all vices are wrapped
up together in a bundle!

"Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5)

"I hate pride and arrogance!" (Proverbs 8:13)

God will have nothing to do with proud people.

He won't come near such loathsome lepers!

Therefore as ever you would enjoy God's presence,

  arm yourself against pride,

  watch against pride, and

  pray hard against pride!

(Thomas Brooks, 1675,
"A Word in
Season to Suffering Saints." Public Domain as seen on Grace Gems.)