When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come to think that the outsiders who don't know it are not merely inferior to them in skill but lower in God's eyes; as the priests said, 'All that rabble who are not experts in the Torah are accursed.' and as this pride increases, the 'subject' or study which confers such privilege will grow more and more complicated, the list of things forbidden will increase, till to get through a single day without supposed sin becomes like an elaborate step-dance, and this horrible network breeds self-righteousness in some and haunting anxiety in others.

Summary

This quote highlights how pride and arrogance can lead individuals to believe that they possess a higher understanding or status in matters that are deemed sacred. This mentality breeds a sense of superiority over others who are less knowledgeable or skilled in the subject. The more this pride amplifies, the more complex and restrictive the subject becomes, leading to an extensive list of prohibitions. Eventually, the demands of maintaining purity become overwhelming, giving rise to self-righteousness and anxiety among those involved. It serves as a cautionary reminder about the dangers of arrogance and the pitfalls of rigid religious interpretations.

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