Early in the Victorian period an unusual book was written and published in England. More than a century later it is still widely read. Its title consists of the words which head this article. In this story of British life of that era the author portrays convincingly the folly, yes even the stupidity, of indulging the qualities represented by these words. She pictures the heartaches, the wretchedness, and the miseries which flow from that source. The sad plight of those unable to protect themselves against these foes to human progress was also pointed out.
Pride and prejudice! What pictures these two simple words bring to consciousness! Pictures of arrogance, of selfishness, of disappointment, of misplaced confidence. Pictures also of vast opportunities lost, of hopes blasted, even of armies destroyed and nations sacrificed. These all go trooping by in quick procession. Can one think of two words that express qualities of mortal mind which need detecting and casting out of human thinking more than these?
Stone walls and prison bars constitute a less serious obstacle to the advance of humanity in its journey toward the realm of mutual good will and understanding than do the qualities defined by the words "pride and prejudice." In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," its author, Mary Baker Eddy, refers to these qualities in this way (p. 144): "Ignorance, pride, or prejudice closes the door to whatever is not stereotyped."
