On Arrogance

Arrogance is not a very attractive trait, in my opinion. Too many people tend to harbor the characteristic, however. We see it everyday in corporate moguls and politicians particularly, in sport stars on occasion, in actors all too often, and, unfortunately at times in ordinary folks who should know better.

What is it that makes a person arrogant? Is it power? Money? Or is it simply the joy of having the upper hand? Does a competitive nature play a hand in arrogance? Does the obsessive desire to be right at all costs make a difference? Is it a lust to be better than others? Is it a lie? Clearly one’s fabricated, and often, inaccurate sense of one’s self will emerge as arrogance. Are these people delusional?

In my newest novel, in progress, one of my characters possesses the trait of arrogance. He goes through life as though his head is poked through a wide ring of clouds, surrounding only him, but with disastrous results, for he cannot look down through those clouds to see the person he really is. In reality he is a regular Joe with no particularly redeeming qualities. Yet he has set himself up on a pedestal of his own making, looking down with condescension and a sense of superiority on those around him. In my novel, he will pay. In the real world however, too many people with inflated egos and overt overconfidence lash out in inappropriate ways in hopes of keeping the status quo. Anger, reactiveness, and irrational behavior are often the results. It is plausible to believe that arrogance requires taking rather than giving, looking rather than seeing, and touching rather than feeling.

I’m not sure I would want to be trapped in an “It’s All About Me” world. A bit of humility, sincerity, and simplicity shows more character in my view, but that’s just the way I see it. Fortunately there are still those around us who are unfettered by a conjured, hazy ring of clouds about their necks. They have the ability to look up at the sky, at the sun, and at the mist above them. They have the capacity to look down too, and unencumbered by arrogance at all, plainly see who they are. And that’s a good thing.

"Arrogance is weakness disguised as strength." (Unknown)