A quote -
"Pride is the maddest thing that can exist. It feeds upon its own vitals. It will take away its own life, that with its blood it may make a purple robe for its shoulders. It saps and undermines its own house, that it may build its pinnacles a little higher, and then the whole structure tumbles down. Nothing proves men so mad as pride. For this they have given up rest, and ease, and repose to find rank and power among men. For this they have dared to risk their hope of salvation, to leave the gentle yoke of Jesus, and go toiling wearily along the way of life, seeking to save themselves by their own works, and at last to stagger in the mire of despair.
O man, hate pride! Flee from it; abhor it. Let it not dwell with thee. If thou wantest to have a madman in your heart, embrace pride, for you shall never find one more mad than he. You may find it in any fashion you may choose: you may see it in the beggar's rags as well as in the rich man's garment. It dwells with the rich and with the poor. A man without a shoe to his foot may be as proud as if he were riding in a chariot.
Pride can be found in every rank of society, among all classes of men. Sometimes it is an Arminian, and talks about the power of the creature. Then it turns Calvinistic, and boasts of its fancied security, forgetful of the Maker who alone can keep faith alive. It may be a Church man [Roman Catholic] and worship God in splendid cathedrals, and go to the common meeting house. It is one of the most universal things in the world. It attends all kinds of chapels and churches. Look where you will, you will see pride. It comes up with us to the house of God. It goes with us to our houses. It is found int he marketplace, and in the business place, in the streets, and everywhere...
Pride will get into the Christian's heart as well as the sinners'. It will flourish under the name of self-sufficiency, teaching the Christian that he is rich and increased in goods, having need of nothing. It will tell him that he doesn't need daily grace, that past experience will do for tomorrow, that he knows enough, toils enough, prays enough. It will make him forget that he has not yet attained. It will not allow him to press forward to the things that are before, forgetting the things that are behind, but enters into his heart, and tempts the believer to set up an independent business for himself. And until the Lord brings about a spiritual bankruptcy, pride will keep him from going to God.
Pride has ten thousand shapes. It is not always that stiff and starched gentleman that you picture it. It is a vile, creepy, insinuating thing that will twist itself like a serpent into our hearts. It will talk about humility and prate about being dust and ashes. I've known men talk about their corruption most marvelously, pretending to be all humility, while at the same time they were the proudest wretches that could be found this side of the gulf of separation. Oh my friends, you cannot tell how many shapes pride will assume. Look sharp about you, or you will be deceived by it, and when you think that you are entertaining angels, you will find that you have been receiving the devil unaware."
-Charles Spurgeon
I originally found this in a book I read called "Humility: The Forgotten Virtue" by Wayne A. Mack. I do recommend it on your behalf