# Pride and Foolish Ambition in Vathek

> Theme guide for Vathek by William Beckford.

Vathek's pride swells as he ascends his tower and views men as pismires, leading him to almost adore himself; the narrator notes that successes of the foolish form the first rod of their chastisement.

## Where it surfaces

- [Vathek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vathek_se/chapters/vathek): Vathek's pride in his power and intellect leads him to ignore warnings, such as the changing inscription on the sabres, and to pursue the throne of Soliman despite the risks.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vathek_se/themes/pride_and_folly
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vathek_se/themes