"The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great"

Voltaire’s observation, “The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great,” points to a paradox in human nature: those with the least substance or significance often exhibit the most outsized egos. Rather than humility being found among those with little power, status, or ability, there is instead a propensity toward overcompensation. The phrase “infinitely little” may describe people who lack influence, talent, or virtue; perhaps they feel unseen, undervalued, or insecure. Instead of acknowledging their limitations, they construct enormous pride as a psychological defense mechanism or as a means to demand recognition.

The mechanism behind this behavior is deeply rooted in insecurity. When people are aware of their own deficiencies or lack of importance, an exaggerated self-regard can serve to shield them from the discomfort of self-awareness. The “infinitely great” pride acts as a counterbalance, a fantasy in which they occupy a space that reality denies them. The phenomena are visible both historically and in daily life: petty tyrants, minor bureaucrats, or individuals in trivial positions often wield their sliver of authority with self-importance disproportionate to their actual power. The less real weight one’s actions or status possess, the more fervently they may cling to what little they have through displays of arrogance and pride.

On a societal level, Voltaire’s words expose the dangers of unchecked pride among the “infinitely little.” The grandiosity they project can obstruct progress, breed conflict, or create atmospheres of pettiness, as those desperate for significance resist criticism and overplay their roles. By flipping expectations, Voltaire satirizes human vanity: greatness is not always where pride resides, and humility is often the preserve of the truly accomplished. Rather than aspiring to inflate ourselves in the absence of real merit, Voltaire’s words urge self-awareness, suggesting authentic worth grows from substance, not the parade of pride.