NUM302 The Second category [of scoffer] entails one who ridicules other people [i.e., the first category is referring to one who acts or speaks scornfully, while this category refers to one who derides others inwardly] – – he belittles them in his heart due to their limited attainment of virtues, or their limited current success in acquiring honor and power, or he derides them for their impoverishment and destitution. Pride brings about this characteristic, or [it is caused by] an abundance of tranquility and pleasure, as the pasuk says (Tehillim 123:4), "Much has our soul been sated with the ridicule of the tranquil, with the contempt of the arrogant." Sometimes the scoffer marks the holy ones and the prophets, as the pasuk says (Yirmeyahu 20:7), "Everyone mocks me." Shlomo, a"h, said (Mishlei 14;21), "One who derides his friend is a sinner," and (ibid., 11:12), "He who derides his friend lacks wisdom." He also said (ibid., 17:5), "He who mocks a pauper affronts his Maker; one who rejoices over [another's] misfortune will not be absolved." What this means is that one who mocks a pauper shows himself to regard success as due to man's efforts, attained through his intellect, as the pesukim say (Devarim 8:17), "You say to yourself,' 'My strength and the power of my hand have amassed this wealth for me,'" and (Yeshayahu 10:13), "For he said, 'With the strength of my hand I have achieved, and with my wisdom, for I am perceptive.'" For this reason he mocks the pauper, for inwardly he says that the other has not attained wealth because he lacks intelligence and adroitness. With this he affronts the Maker of both the pauper and the rich, for everything comes from Hashem, as the pasuk says (Mishlei 22:2), "The rich man and the pauper meet [their fate]; Hashem is the Maker of them all." Concerning one who rejoices over another's misfortune, the pasuk says that "he will not be absolved" – – even though he has not caused any harm in deed or speech he will not be absolved. Nonetheless, the evil of one who rejoices over another's misfortune does not reach the evil done by one who mocks the pauper. [Besides acting badly toward another, he also "affronts the Maker" by denying Divine providence (Sha'arei Teshuvah Hamevo'ar.)] Because scoffing is rooted in arrogance, which is the converse of humility, Shlomo, a"h, said (ibid., 3:34), "In truth the scoffers, He will scoff at; the humble, He will give a favor." This means: In truth, the scoffer who mocks people will be mocked by Hashem, as the pasuk says (Tehillim 2:4), "He Who sits in heaven will laugh, Hashem will mock them." The Hebrew word "im" [The first word of the verse in Mishlei 3:34, usually translated as "if," here means "in truth."] is to verify the matter. In a similar vein we find [this verse], "for in truth, Kayin will be expelled," and (Mishlei 23:18), "or in truth, there is a future [reward]." [Both verses use the word "im" to express "in truth."]