“Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.” – John Ruskin
Pride is a prison; it can creep into a man's heart and blind him from even a shadow of humility. Pride does not take into account the righteousness or the spiritual worth of the decision or choice but for selfish gains. It does not consider the ill effects upon those, from whom, it will be required.
James Anthony Traficant, Jr. was a former Democratic politician and member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. He was expelled after being convicted of taking bribes, filing false tax returns, racketeering, and forcing his aides to perform chores at his farm in Ohio and houseboat in Washington, D.C. During his federal trial, although he's not a lawyer, Traficant defended himself but he did not testify. His self-defense led to frequent clashes with the judge over what questions might be asked and how. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and released on September 2, 2009, after serving a seven-year sentence. Traficant was a proud and arrogant politician before his imprisonment. His incarceration did not change his attitude. Upon his release, he said he was "proud of being an ex-con" and may try to return to Congress.
