He also said:
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Regarding people’s saying, “Man is domineering yet weak,” or “So-and-so is domineering yet weak”: his weakness stems from the weakness of his faculties of knowledge and power. His domineering nature, however, stems from his beliefs and desires.
As for his beliefs, he imagines himself to possess a greatness beyond his actual stature, when this is not the case. This is conceit, arrogance, and self-importance: imagining something about oneself that has no basis in reality. Among its causes are false praise of him, in verse and prose, and his seeking such false praise, for this breeds conceit.
As for desire, it is the desire for self-exaltation and aggrandizement: seeking superiority in the land and boasting over others. He desires a degree of superiority that it is not fitting for him to seek—leadership and authority—until he goes so far as to lay rival claim to lordship, as Pharaoh did, and to prophethood. This is found among scholars, devout worshippers, rulers, and others.