There was a chassid of the Alter Rebbe, Reb Mordechai Liepler, who claimed that his arrogance was responsible for making him a chassid.

To explain: When the yetzer hara (negative inclination) would confront him and say: "Mottel, commit a sin," he would face it resolutely and respond: "I am a chassid of the Alter Rebbe, not to mention I am wealthy and learned - and you are attempting to convince me to transgress?!"

Toras Menachem 5715, vol. 1, p. 58

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The Mitteler Rebbe once told someone to become an "onion."

This person had been traveling from town to town spreading chassidic teachings but had recently decided to stop. All the fuss over him and his talents, he claimed, had been feeding his ego. Now he had to work on himself to diminish that negative aspect of his character.

The Mitteler Rebbe showed no pity. "An onion should become of you," he exclaimed, "but teach others what you must teach them!"

Why an onion?

An onion is added to the pot not to be eaten, but only to give flavor to the chicken and the broth. Like the onion, you sometimes need to sacrifice your own personal growth so others may grow.

Toras Menachem 5715, vol. 1, p. 313ff.

Sichos Kodesh, Rosh Chodesh Adar 5740