Those who straddle cannot walk
Those who flaunt themselves are not clear
Those who presume themselves are not distinguished
Those who praise themselves have no merit
Those who boast about themselves do not last
Those with the Tao call such things leftover food or tumors
They despise them
Thus, those who possesses the Tao do not engage in them
What does this mean?
Ego and pride are mental constructs to protect our feelings. Too much pride, no matter how justified, builds that wall higher and higher. Just like stacking a child's blocks too high, eventually it is going to fall. You can build ego up to impressive heights, but by its very nature will be unstable. The only question is how much damage it causes when it collapses.
Humility is that underlying virtue that supports the other virtues to the Tao. You build humility broadly, like a foundation of a house as opposed to vertically.
You can not knock over a piece of paper laying flat.
How do I use this?
When someone says "Watch this," back up to a safe spot. The way opposites work will probably cause that thing you are suppose to watch will spectatularly fail. See Murphy's Law.
Do not listen to one who brags. Be careful if you trust someone who talks about how good they are at something. Even if that person is truly great, you have to keep in mind the price of boosting their ego.
Learn the difference between being good and being better. Doing well, whether through talent or skill is good. Effective action is important so as to improve your life. Many times, its hard to find fulfillment unless you are able to do something at a specific level which most people can obtain through practice. The fine line between effectiveness and pride is thinking of yourself as better.
This is a key to staying humble. There is always someone better than you in every aspect of your life. Even if you become so skilled as to be the best in the world, that is just a brief moment in time. Eventually, age will take that skill away from you and give it to someone new.
The only person you have to try and best is yourself.
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