.. an unreasonable conceit of one's superiority....

Pride is at the root of all sin..

this is what the Webster's Dictionary from 1828 says:

inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

treating others with contempt.
thinking oneself knows better than anyone else.
it leads to disrespect.
it leads to lies.
a critical spirit.
anger.

it destroys relationships.

the interesting thing is that insecurity can very well be present at the same time.. kind of makes no sense but I believe it's true

this is what my favourite book says about it:

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. 2 Chronicles 26:16

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:23-24

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psalm 10:3-4

and on and on it goes.

have come to see that pride / lack of respect is at the bottom of all the dysfunction I see around me.
praying that the merciful and gracious God I love so much will continue to change my heart, strip away any pride that remains, and instead lets me focus on this:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2 : 3-8

the amazing part is that once we meet Jesus we start to understand just how much He loves us,  there is no longer a need to make sure to be the center of attention all the time.. knowing who we are in Christ allows us to willingly put others first.. no need to criticize, judge or condemn.. no longer the need to control situations.. looking to Him we can be all He wants us to be.. no need to trample on others or put them down to elevate ourselves...

as for those people around me .. I will pray that He in His mercy will reveal Himself to them and  show them in His time...