Summary
When Good Intentions Go Bad
Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross
Here's a paradox: the moment you start making real spiritual progress, you're in danger of becoming insufferably self-righteous about it. When people begin making real progress in prayer, meditation, or devotion, they often get a little too pleased with themselves. They start comparing their dedication to others and finding everyone else lacking. They become the person who humble-brags about their prayer life or judges others for not being as 'spiritual' as they are. The saint compares this to the Pharisee in the Bible who thanked God he wasn't like other sinners while looking down on everyone around him. What makes this especially dangerous is that the devil actually encourages this kind of spiritual showing off because it turns genuine growth into spiritual vanity. These people become so focused on appearing holy that they lose sight of actually becoming holy. They see every flaw in others while being blind to their own pride and judgment. Saint John is essentially saying that the moment you think you're more spiritually advanced than others, you've probably taken a step backward. This chapter serves as a reality check for anyone who's ever felt superior because of their spiritual practices or religious knowledge. It's a warning that good intentions can become corrupted when we start keeping score.
Coming Up in Chapter 3
The spiritual pride problem gets worse before it gets better. Next, Saint John explores how beginners become spiritual gluttons, always craving more religious experiences and never satisfied with simple, quiet devotion.
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 249 words)
Of certain spiritual imperfections which beginners have with respect to the habit of pride. As these beginners feel themselves to be very fervent and diligent in spiritual things and devout exercises, from this prosperity arises secret pride, whence they come to have some degree of satisfaction with their works and with themselves. And hence there comes to them likewise a certain desire, which is somewhat vain, and at times very vain, to speak of spiritual things in the presence of others, and sometimes even to teach such things rather than to learn them. They condemn others in their heart when they see that they have not the kind of devotion which they themselves desire; and sometimes they even say this in words, herein resembling the Pharisee who boasted of himself, praising God for his own good works and despising the publican. In these persons the devil often increases the fervour that they have and the desire to perform these and other works more frequently, so that their pride and presumption may grow greater. For the devil knows quite well that all these works and virtues which they perform are not only valueless to them, but become vices in them. And some of these persons become so evil-minded that they would have no one appear good save themselves; and thus, in deed and word, whenever the opportunity occurs, they condemn them and slander them, seeing the mote in their brother's eye and not considering the beam in their own eye.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Righteous Corruption - When Good Intentions Turn Toxic
Progress in any area can corrupt into superiority, turning genuine growth into performance and judgment.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when legitimate success starts feeding superiority instead of serving others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you catch yourself feeling superior about your work, parenting, or personal growth - that's your signal to check if you're growing or just performing.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Spiritual Pride
The dangerous trap of becoming proud or superior about your own religious or spiritual progress. It happens when people start thinking they're more holy, enlightened, or devoted than others around them.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who humble-brag about their meditation practice, judge others for not being 'woke' enough, or act superior about their lifestyle choices.
Pharisee
A religious leader from Jesus's time who was known for following rules perfectly but looking down on others. In the Bible story, a Pharisee prayed thanking God he wasn't like other sinners while a humble tax collector just asked for mercy.
Modern Usage:
Today we call someone a 'pharisee' when they're self-righteous or hypocritical about their beliefs while judging everyone else.
Devotional Exercises
Structured spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, reading scripture, or acts of service. These are meant to help people grow closer to God and develop their spiritual life.
Modern Usage:
Modern versions include daily meditation apps, gratitude journaling, yoga practice, or regular church attendance.
Spiritual Beginner
Someone who has recently started taking their spiritual life seriously and is enthusiastic about religious practices. Saint John warns that this enthusiasm can quickly turn into pride if not watched carefully.
Modern Usage:
Like someone who just started therapy and won't stop giving everyone psychological advice, or a new convert to any belief system who becomes preachy.
Vain Desire
Wanting to appear spiritual or holy for the wrong reasons - to impress others, feel superior, or get recognition rather than genuinely growing closer to God.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in social media spirituality, virtue signaling, or any time we do good things mainly so others will notice and praise us.
Secret Pride
Pride that hides behind good works and spiritual practices. The person might not even realize they're being proud because they're focused on doing 'good' things.
Modern Usage:
When someone volunteers or donates but secretly feels superior to people who don't, or judges others for not caring as much as they do.
Characters in This Chapter
The Spiritual Beginner
Cautionary example
Represents anyone who starts strong in their spiritual life but gets trapped by pride. They become more focused on appearing holy than actually growing spiritually.
Modern Equivalent:
The newly sober person who judges everyone still drinking
The Pharisee
Biblical warning example
Used as the classic example of someone whose good works became corrupted by pride and judgment of others. Shows how religious practice can become spiritual poison.
Modern Equivalent:
The social media activist who attacks anyone not as 'aware' as them
The Publican
Positive contrast
The humble tax collector who simply asked God for mercy. Represents the right attitude - knowing you need help rather than thinking you're better than others.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who admits their mistakes and asks for help without making excuses
The Devil
Hidden manipulator
Actively encourages spiritual pride because it corrupts good works into vanity. Shows how even positive actions can be twisted for destructive purposes.
Modern Equivalent:
That inner voice that turns your accomplishments into reasons to feel superior to others
Key Quotes & Analysis
"They condemn others in their heart when they see that they have not the kind of devotion which they themselves desire"
Context: Describing how spiritual beginners judge others for not being as devoted as they are
This reveals how quickly spiritual progress can turn into spiritual superiority. Instead of focusing on their own growth, these people become critics of everyone else's spiritual life.
In Today's Words:
They look down on people who aren't as into spiritual stuff as they are
"The devil knows quite well that all these works and virtues which they perform are not only valueless to them, but become vices in them"
Context: Explaining how good works become corrupted when done with pride
This is the central warning - that pride can poison even genuinely good actions. When we do good things for the wrong reasons, they actually harm our spiritual development.
In Today's Words:
When you do good things just to feel superior, you're actually making yourself worse, not better
"They would have no one appear good save themselves"
Context: Describing how spiritually proud people want to be the only ones who look holy
This shows the ultimate selfishness of spiritual pride - wanting to be the only good person in the room. It reveals how pride turns spiritual practice into a competition.
In Today's Words:
They want to be the only one who looks like they have their life together
"Seeing the mote in their brother's eye and not considering the beam in their own"
Context: Using Jesus's teaching about judging others while ignoring your own faults
This biblical reference emphasizes the blindness that comes with spiritual pride - being hyper-aware of others' small faults while missing your own major problems.
In Today's Words:
They notice every little thing wrong with others but can't see their own big issues
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Spiritual progress corrupts into spiritual superiority and judgment of others
Development
Introduced here as the primary obstacle to genuine growth
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself feeling superior about your dedication to health, work, or personal development
Identity
In This Chapter
People begin defining themselves by their spiritual practices rather than their character
Development
Introduced here - identity becomes performance-based
In Your Life:
You might find yourself name-dropping your therapy sessions or workout routine to establish status
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The need to appear holy to others corrupts authentic spiritual practice
Development
Introduced here - external validation corrupts internal work
In Your Life:
You might post about your morning routine or volunteer work more for the image than the impact
Class
In This Chapter
Spiritual practices become markers of superiority over the 'less enlightened'
Development
Introduced here - spirituality as class distinction
In Your Life:
You might judge others for their entertainment choices, eating habits, or lack of 'self-awareness'
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Real growth gets derailed when it becomes about comparison rather than transformation
Development
Introduced here - growth vs. performance distinction
In Your Life:
You might measure your progress by how much better you are than your past self or others
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What happens to people when they start making real progress in their spiritual life, according to Saint John?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Saint John say spiritual pride is especially dangerous compared to other kinds of pride?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'progress leading to superiority' playing out in workplaces, schools, or families today?
application • medium - 4
How could someone create safeguards to catch themselves when they start feeling superior about their growth or achievements?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between genuine growth and how we measure ourselves against others?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Superiority Triggers
Think of an area where you've grown or improved recently - maybe at work, in parenting, health habits, or relationships. Write down three specific moments when you felt superior to others because of this growth. For each moment, identify what triggered the feeling and how it affected your behavior toward others.
Consider:
- •Notice if the feeling came after receiving praise or recognition for your progress
- •Pay attention to whether you started giving unsolicited advice or making comparisons
- •Consider how the superiority feeling changed your actual growth or learning
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone else's spiritual pride or superiority affected you. How did it feel to be on the receiving end? What did you learn about how you want to handle your own growth?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 3: Spiritual Hoarding and Sacred Clutter
What lies ahead teaches us spiritual materialism can distract from genuine growth, and shows us collecting religious objects can become another form of greed. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.