There is a saying that goes, “Humility brings benefits, while arrogance invites failure.” An excessively proud person is unlikely to advance in learning or moral development. Their inability to recognize their own flaws or acknowledge others’ strengths leads them to look down on others. Moreover, they disregard advice and resist learning from others with an open mind, undeniably impeding their own growth.
俗话说“谦受益，满招损”，一个慢心重的人，不论学识还是道德修养都很难长进。因为他看不到自己存在的不足，看不到别人的长处，所以目中无人。对别人的意见不会认真听取，对别人的学识不会虚心学习，这无疑会阻碍自己的进步。
As the saying goes, “literati often belittle each other,” a phenomenon driven by pride. Often, those skilled in a particular area become excessively proud, feeling entitled due to their abilities. Furthermore, the constant praise and deference they receive only fuel their arrogance, leading them to believe they are superior and have an advantage over others.
我们常说的“文人相轻”，也是慢心造成的。大凡有特长的人，我慢总是特别重。一方面觉得自己有我慢的资本，另一方面，整天接受别人的恭敬赞叹，我慢不断得到滋养，以至产生错觉，以为自己的确就那么了不起，就那么胜人一筹。
Pride also makes it difficult for people to get along harmoniously. Generally, those burdened with pride have an exceptionally strong sense of self-esteem, always desiring respect from others and intolerant of any disdain. Due to an excessive focus on oneself, they often fail to treat others with equality and do not show the due respect to others, even going as far as to hurt others as they please.
慢心也使人与人之间难以和谐相处。一般来说，我慢重的人自尊心总是特别强，时时都希望别人尊重自己，容不得他人的轻视。由于过分看重自己，往往不能以平等心对待他人，不懂得对他人表示应有的尊重，甚至随意伤害他人。
However, relationships among people are reciprocal. If we wish to be respected by others, we must first respect them and treat them with a friendly attitude. If we fail to do this, always belittling others, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they will naturally respond to us in the same manner. Moreover, people with too strong a sense of self-esteem often have fragile emotions. In their eyes, they hold a supreme position, only accustomed to obedience and compliments. Once faced with setbacks, their spirit can easily collapse.
然而，人与人之间的关系是相互的。我们想得到别人的尊重，首先得尊重别人，以友好的态度对待别人。倘若做不到这一点，总是有意无意地轻视他人，对方自然也会以同样的方式反馈于你。同时，自尊心过强的人情感往往很脆弱。在他的眼中，自己有着至高无上的地位，只能适应别人的顺从，适应恭维赞美之词，一旦受到打击，精神很容易崩溃。
摘自《生命的痛苦及其解脱》
版权所有：济群法师
Excerpted from:
Life’s Suffering and Its Liberation
by Master Jiqun
