Self-Justifying Hypocrite Who Misleads Others

"Self-justification is a very dangerous habit. It is an abominable evil quality born of Rajas. The aspirant does wrong actions and tries to stick to his own ideas, his own course of action, his own position. He brings various sorts of foolish arguments and gives wrong interpretations of scriptures to support himself. He will never admit his mistakes and faults. He tries to keep up his self-esteem. His mind is rendered turbid, crooked. He cannot perceive things in their true light. No one can help this man. He cannot make any progress in the path of Yoga as he will not listen to the instructions of elders or sages. Self-sufficiency, arrogance, vanity, self-assertions and self-will are the constant companions of self-justification. When these companions join with self-justification, he will be as turbulent as a monkey which drank a glass of liquor and was bitten by a scorpion also. He is entirely shut out from the Divine Light. Mark how Maya influences the deluded people! Self-justification is one of Her subtle forms (of lower nature)."

Source: http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection&section_id=511