The Decay of the Art of Being Arrogant

It is within the human nature to be arrogant - all humans have an ego which thirsts for recognition, but it is only a select few who have yet preserved the art of arrogance. It is the right of the human to personally portray his best features - his genius must be placed upon display for lesser beings to admire and emulate. Yet it is an art which must be mastered, for one cannot go about brandishing one's strengths - that would merely alienate all listeners. Instead, one must subtly hint at one's superiority, effectively making other feel unworthy, and compelling them to forever strive to be better.

The seemingly virtuous trait of humility is all but overstated. Humility serves no person. Through humility, one is simply misrepresenting one's own strengths, and keeping others from striving to be better. The growing prevalence of modesty is truly a thing to bemoan, the death of arrogance one to mourn. The man who is arrogant in his ways, who so boldly declares, "Here, let me help you with that problem, for I was the only one to receive 100% on the test," is surely one of whom angels doubtless say, "Lo, here is a helpful soul who risks himself to hatred to help aid the self-improvement of others."

There is naught by good that well-placed arrogance may do. It is simple goodwill for one to gloat over a high test score, to scoff at those who find a subject difficult. It is this courteous arrogance which enables others to strive to be better, to more fully comprehend the chapter which was excruciatingly simple for the average, arrogant man. It is this arrogance which should be nurtured, for one must make the long, arduous climb to the top of the pedestal, and take the utmost care to ensure that one will not fall off amidst the unselfish self-embellishment that is man's duty.

There can be no fault found in one who indulges in arrogance, for the self-proclaimed braggart is one who perfectly engages in the finest of the noble arts. It is the men who put themselves atop the hill to give other a model of utmost perfection for which to strive that deserve my just, honest, and gratuitous appreciation.

For arrogance is universal - it is simply those who allow themselves to be looked upon as a model during all hours of the day who deserve the pure honor of being a self-satisfied, arrogant braggart. It is those who can stand erect upon that pedestal, unafraid, willing to be looked upon, firm and square and proud whom we must emulate. These are the men whom we must look upon, with due respect, and simply hope to later imitate.

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Background information - In-class essay/response to Twain's "The Decay of the Art of Lying"