The third bough of pride is arrogance, which one calls overweening or presumption, when the man thinks more of himself than he should; that is to say, that thinks he is worth more than he is, or that he can do more than he can, or that he knows more than he does, or thinks that he is worth more, or more able, or more knowing than any other. This sin is the strength of the devil, for it protects and nourishes all the great spiritual sins. This sin shows itself in many ways, either by deed or by speech, but especially in six ways; to wit, in singularity, for the proud and the presumptuous thinks that he is more worthy and knows more than any others, and deigns not to do as others that are more worthy than he is, but rather will be singular in his deeds. That is the first sin by which overweening is (shown) in deed. The second is foolish undertaking of great expense, which one calls prodigality, when he doth too much spending, either of his own or of other men’s, in order to be praised, and therefore that one should hold him (to be) the more liberal and the more courteous. The third evil that comes of overweening is foolish undertaking of false strife, as Solomon says; that is to say, whoever takes a false strife in hand, and knows well that it is false, and follows it. The fourth twig of the same bough, whereby the proud shows the pride of his heart, is boasting, which is a very foul sin both to God and to the world. The boaster is the cuckoo, which cannot sing, but of himself. This sin is found (bound) in him who by his own mouth boasts, either of his wit, or of his kin, or of his works, or of his prowess. But it (the sin) doubles itself in those whom the boaster and the liar seeks, and counsels, and gives them of his own, for them to praise and to say of him (them) what he (they) dare not say, and to lie concerning him (them), and to boast his (their) nobility. The fifth offshoot of the same stock is scorn. For that is the wont of the proud overweener, that it is not enough for him to despise in his heart the others that have not the graces that he thinks he has, but makes his mockings and his scorns, and, what is worse, mocks and scorns the good men, and (of) those that he sees turn to good, which is very great sin and very dreadful. But by their evil tongues they turn aside much folk from doing well. The sixth offshoot of the same bough is withstanding. That is when the man withstands all them that would do him good. For the proud overweener, if one reproves him, he excuses himself, if one chastens him he is wroth, if one advises him well he believes none but his own wit. It is a perilous sickness when one cannot endure that one may teach him, and to whom all medicines turn into venom. THE FOURTH BOUGH OF PRIDE.