"confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, and thus they fall into error, and are led away from God. DA 182.1"
"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."
Both passages warn against trusting in man rather than God. The EGW passage explains the consequences of this misplaced trust, while Jeremiah 17:5 states the curse associated with it.
"The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies, through whom His purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” DA 182.2"
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
EGW directly quotes John 3:30.