The second step of pride: levity of mind.52
Ladders thousand stand before him." In that court none has a right to sit save him who sits above the Cherubim, waited on by all. In an unheard-of way you would distinguish yourself from others. You pry with insatiable curiosity, push yourself forward without respect and place your throne in heaven and make yourself the equal of the Most High.
(The Steps of Humility and Pride 28ff) The sum total is: Satan fell from truth by curiosity when he turned his attention to something he coveted unlawfully and had the presumption to believe he could gain it.
Curiosity was the beginning of all sin and so is rightly considered the first step of pride. Unless it is checked promptly it leads to the second step: levity.
The second step of pride: levity of mind You who observe others instead of attending to your self will begin before long to see some as your superiors and others as your inferiors. In some you will see things to envy; in others, things to despise. The eyes have wandered and the mind soon follows. It is no longer steadily fixed on its real concerns and is now carried up on the crest of the waves of pride, now down in the trough of envy. One minute you are full of envious sadness, the next childishly glad about some excellence you see in yourself. The former is evil; the latter, vain. Both bespeak pride, because it is love of one's own excellence that makes you weep when you are sur passed and rejoice in surpassing others. Your conversation will show how your mind is tossed up and down. One moment you are sulky and silent except for some bitter remarks, the next sees a full spate of silly chatter. Now you are laughing, now doleful, all without rhyme or reason.