Yes, through pride a person becomes deprived of moral qualities and material improvements. If man, with his proud motives, deems his own qualities sufficient and lofty and consequently does not deign to regard those of others, he is a deficient person. Such a person does not acquire profit from the guidance and teaching of his great ancestors because he considers his own knowledge and discoveries of life above others! Consequently, he is subject to delusions and, all in all, goes astray. Therefore, in forty years he cannot make the discoveries of life which would be attained by his blessed predecessors within about forty days’ time.
Oh friend! One who has fallen into despair searches for a foothold to keep himself away from torment. Then he perceives that he already has some goodness and virtues. He immediately puts trust in them, and confidently says, “Those acquirements will save me. They will suffice.” So he becomes at ease to a degree. However, to rely on one’s acquirements is self-admiration. This attitude causes one to fall into error, because one has no right to claim on his virtues and good acts. They are not his property, so he cannot merely rely on them.
In fact, one’s free will is quite limited. Even though the widest of his faculties is his imagination, it cannot encompass the intelligence, and its fruits. How can you then include such a vastness within the realm of your free choice and be proud of your acts?
Likewise, without your being conscious of them, many acts are happening either in your favor or against you. Those acts imply consciousness, but since there is no outward sign of consciousness, it is established that the author of all those deeds is the Creator, endowed with consciousness. Neither you nor your causes are the real authors of those acts. Then give up claiming you are the possessor! Do not resume that you are the source of virtues and perfections, and definitely know that all you have from yourself are faults and deficiencies, because with your mismanagement you spoil even the good qualities which are bestowed upon you. Even your body, for you, is a trust temporarily given to you. Your virtues are granted to you whereas your vices are acquired by you.
-Said Nursi