Our Sages state that with regard to a proud person, G‑d says:
“He and I cannot dwell in the same place.” Thus pride brings about concealment from G‑d. G‑d is not to be found where a proud person is; it is as if G‑d does not see him. This is alluded to in the extended interpretation of the above verse offered by the Baal Shem Tov: “If a person will conceal himself in hidden places, because of his ‘I,’ I will not see him.”
chabad.org
Reb Elimelech told his fellow Tzadikim that the Maggid has told him that a Tzaddik has the power to help one do teshuvah. A passerby overheard their conversation and began laughing and making fun of them. "What are you doing sitting together in the beis medrash speaking about learning Torah and repenting? What is the use of Torah and repentance?" The holy Tzadikim stopped their discussion and began praying and saying tehillim with great passion, weeping and devotion. The passerby continued to mock the chassidim; he called them batlanim - lay good for nothing loafers. Finally, they responded to him by painting a picture of how important H'shem considers a Jewish soul. They spoke to him until he himself was awakened to repentance. In a few days they succeeded in transforming him into a complete baal teshuvah.
MePeninei Noam Elimelech
