גאות האדם בגופו יש בה שני חלקים: האחד - טוב, והאחד - רע. וזאת היא גאות האדם בגופו הרעה. בעת שתתגבר הגאוה בלב האדם, אז תמשול על האדם מקדקדו עד כף רגלו:
באזנים - לא ישמע דברי העניים האומללים. בריח אפיו - בעמדו אצל עניים, או כשנכנס לבתיהם, הם סרוחים בעיניו. ואף בדבריו - ידבר על צדיק עתק בגאוה. וגם ניכרת בענין מאכל ומשקה, ובמלבושי בגדי גאוה...
Pride in one's body has two components, one which is good and one which is evil. This is the evil type of bodily pride. At the time that pride grows in the heart of a person it will control him/her from the top of the head to the sole of the foot...[When pride is] in the ears - one does not listen to the words of the abject poor; in the breath of his nose - when one stands next to the poor, even upon entering their homes they seem putrid; even in speech - in speaking poorly of the righteous out of pride. [Pride] can also be manifest regarding eating and drinking and in wearing prideful clothes. [translation by AJWS, modified for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1) How would you characterize bodily pride?
2) How does bodily pride affect one's relationship to others, specifically the poor?
3) What would you suggest as an antidote to this attitude?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)