$BTC

The wife of the Theban king Amphion, Niobe, had seven sons and seven daughters. Tantalus's daughter was proud of her happiness, wealth, and beautiful children, considering herself superior to the goddess Leto, who had only two — Apollo and Artemis. When the prophetess Manto summoned the Theban women to offer sacrifices to Leto, Niobe openly mocked the goddess and refused to participate in the ritual.

Leto, hearing the arrogant words, turned to her children. Apollo and Artemis, hidden by a cloud, appeared in Thebes. Apollo struck all seven of Niobe's sons with golden arrows, one after another. Upon learning of the children's demise, Amphion could not bear the grief and took his own life. Niobe, leaning over the bodies of her husband and sons, did not relent but with even greater pride challenged Leto, claiming that she still had more children.

Then Artemis struck down Niobe's seven daughters as well. Only after this did pride leave the queen. She turned to stone from grief, and the gods transformed her into rock. On Mount Sipylus in Lydia, Niobe still stands, and tears flow from her stone eyes.

Moral: when a person starts to consider their assets invulnerable and looks down on others, the market quickly reminds: pride is the most fragile asset.