Pride in him, yet not a proud man
But, in the very nature of things, can a person have pride in him and not be proud? Can he have anger, and yet not be angry?
A person may have pride in him. He may think of himself, in some particulars, more highly than he ought to think, and so be proud in that particular, and yet not be a proud man in his general character. He may have anger in him, yes, and a strong bent toward furious anger, without giving way to it. But can anger and pride be in that heart where only meekness and humility are felt? No. But some pride and anger may be in that heart where there is much humility and meekness.
1771 text
10. “But, in the very nature of things, can a man have pride in him, and not be proud? Anger, and yet not be angry?”
A man may have pride in him, may think of himself in some particulars above what he ought to think, (and so be proud in that particular) and yet not be a proud man, in his general character. He may have anger in him, yea and a strong propensity to furious anger, without giving way to it. “But can anger and pride be in that heart, where only meekness and humility are felt!” No: but some pride and anger may be in that heart, where there is much humility and meekness.