Pride sits in all our hearts by nature. We are born proud. Pride makes us rest satisfied with ourselves--think we are good enough as we are--stop our ears against advice--refuse the gospel of Christ--turn every one to his own way. But pride never reigns anywhere so powerfully as in the heart of a young man.
How common it is to see young men heady, high-minded, and impatient of counsel! How often they are rude and uncourteous to all about them, thinking they are not valued and honored as they deserve! How often they will not stop to listen to a hint from an older person! They think they know everything. They are full of conceit of their own wisdom. They reckon elderly people, and especially their relations, stupid, and dull, and slow. They fancy they want no teaching of instruction themselves: they understand all things. It makes them almost angry to be spoken to. Like young horses, they cannot bear the least control. They must needs be independent, and have their own way. They seem to think, like those whom Job mentioned, "We are the people, and wisdom shall die with us." (Job 12:2). And this is all pride.
J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men
I picked this book up a while back. I've been slow to read it because I know it will be convicting. So far, that's true.
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