We are petty in our loves, hates, fears, hopes, interests, desires and aversions.
Spirit says to Flesh, "How petty you are! Flesh replies, "You can look down your long nose at human pettiness only so long as I allow you to. A couple of well-placed blows would suffice to reduce you, Noble One, who depend on me, to a writhing animal pleading for mercy."
The gist of it: The pettiness of the human animal is excusable. It is easy to be great-souled when all is well with the mortal coil. But the least little thing can start it unraveling.
Schopenhauer said it well when he said that the world is beautiful to behold but terrible to be a part of.