Defensive Pride: The Rejection of Truth

In today's world, it is common for people to refuse to accept the truth even when it comes from proven intellects. Often, at the core of this reaction lies a deep insecurity disguised as arrogance: the fear of losing one's own significance drives a person to defend their ego. Instead of calmly accepting new knowledge or a simple reasoning, some resort to aggressive defense, preferring to respond abruptly and rudely to a truthful word in an attempt to preserve the illusion of infallibility.

This emotional reaction is frequently accompanied by insincere support—even when help is offered, it is wrapped in reproaches that can ignite inner conflict. As a result, a storm of emotions arises, reinforcing a negative perception of the truth. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue and critically examining ideas, the individual chooses the path of ridicule and insults, trying thereby to "disarm" criticism and maintain their purported superiority.

Ultimately, the rejection of truthful words becomes less about rational critique and more about a defensive reaction to the potential loss of confidence in one's own significance. Do not let fear and arrogance obscure true knowledge—openness and sincere acceptance of information can become the key to personal growth and mutual understanding in society.

Why do some people reject the truth coming from intelligent individuals and resort to insults?

Some individuals struggle to accept the truth even when it comes from recognized wise people, because at the root of their reaction lies excessive self-satisfaction and a fear of losing their own significance. They may reject the truthful word because it exposes their weaknesses and contradicts their inflated self-esteem, forcing them to seek a form of defense—in the form of insults. For example, as noted in one of the sources:

"Why is it said: those who speak, being wise, became foolish? This is said, O wise one, precisely because, as they had much grandeur that lost the truth, whereas in the Scriptures the truth was without any ostentation, it then required much courage and prudence to expose all the embellished, trust-inspiring words by which falsehood was thoroughly passed off as truth; nowadays, their delusion has become palpably evident even to the common people." (source: 1004_5016.txt, page: 11)

Thus, an inflated sense of self-worth not only compels a person to reject a truth that might seem simple or unadorned by elaborate expressions, but also leads them, instead of discussing ideas, to resort to insults in an effort to negate the credibility and authority of those whose words cause them discomfort.

Furthermore, when help or support is offered insincerely and accompanied by reproaches, it generates an "unbearable storm" within a person's soul, spurring an aggressive reaction and an even greater rejection of the truth. As stated in another source:

"And when even charity is little, and is given with insult, then it generates in the impoverished soul some kind of unbearable storm. For those who do not give, but slander, need not be mentioned. They exceed all ferocity of beasts, because they drown those who come to them like a harbor, without satisfying their necessary need and even adding insults to that." (source: 1137_5681.txt)

Thus, the rejection of truth and the turn to insults are often defensive reactions, driven by the fear of losing one's ego and self-esteem in the face of the simplicity and directness of the true word. People who are unwilling to accept the truth resort to ridicule and rudeness to maintain the appearance of strength and intellectual independence, despite their inner dissatisfaction.