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About this quote

What does it mean?
The Devil is shown smiling because pride disguising itself as humility is his favorite sin.
In plain terms
Pride pretending to be humble is the worst sin.
What can you take from it?
False humility is often just hidden pride.

Where it applies

  • self-reflection
  • moral study
  • reading literature

Putting it to work

  • checking your ego
  • practicing genuine humility

Questions to consider

  • Where do you see false humility?
  • How do you keep pride in check?

Another view

This view might condemn sincere modesty incorrectly.

More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge

  1. Forth from his dark and lonely hiding place (Portentous-sight!) the owlet Atheism, Sailing an obscene wings athwart the noon, Drops his blue-fringed lids, and …

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  2. Strongly it bears us along in swelling and limitless billows, Nothing before and nothing behind but the sky and the ocean.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Or if the secret ministry of frost Shall hang them up in silent icicles, Quietly shining to the quiet moon.

    Permalink to quote #5

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