It says in Kiddushin 31.1, "Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: It is prohibited for a person to walk even four cubits with an upright posture, wIhich is considered an arrogant manner, as it is stated: "The entire world is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One who walks in an arrogant manner indicates a lack of regard for the glory and honor of God that is surrounding him, and thereby chases God from that place, as it were. " But we are supposed to emulate Hashem are we not? Would not it be a tribute to His Glory for a good Jew to walk upright rather than bent over? Surely when one tries to emulate Hashem he does not arrogantly purport to be Him!

Shalom, Thank you for your question. You are correct in thinking that we should emulate Hashem, and that would seem to come into contrast with the need to feel Hashem’s presence over us constantly. The fine line needed to balance these two ideals is indeed difficult to determine – and perhaps changes from person to person, time to time and place to place. On a practical level – the codifiers explain that one does not have to walk bent over. Rather, it is just forbidden to walk in an exaggerated arrogant pose. This perhaps help us understand that the ideal is to walk proudly as a Jew who represents Hashem in the world – while at the same time not overdoing this trait, in order to attain the modesty needed to serve Hashem correctly. Blessings.