Imam explains the matter in his famous work "an expostion on Forty Hadith" as following:
Therefore, my friend, if you are proud of your spiritual attainments, they (i.e. the Prophet and Imam ‘Ali) were over and above all of us in this respect; and if you have pride in your office and authority, they possessed true sovereignty.
Yet, in spite of it, their humility and modesty was more than of anybody else.
This shows that humility is the product of knowledge and wisdom, and pride is the outcome of ignorance.
Therefore, free yourself from the ignominy of ignorance and the disgrace of petty-mindedness; acquire the attributes of the prophets and shed the qualities of Satan.
Do not contend with your God regarding His mantle of Pride and Glory, as His wrath will subdue the contender and he will fall on his face into hell-fire.
If you make up your mind for rectifying your self, the way to do so is also easy if you are somewhat persevering.
You will not encounter any peril on this way if you move with manly resolve, freedom of thought, and high-mindedness. The only way of overpowering your carnal self and repelling the insinuations of Satan is to act against their incitements.