Pride
I have been doing a lot of soul searching about the concept of pride over the last couple of years. What really is pride and why do people not recognize it in the heat of the moment? And what is the source of pride?
I think that pride is actually the motivation behind much of the harm done about the world, but I also suspect that on the whole it is unconquerable. After all, can any of us truthfully say that we have never been prideful in our life?
Pride Vs Evil
Pride does lead to a lot of the hurt in people’s lives, but not all though. I firmly believe that there is certifiable evil in the world. But perhaps most of the lesser harm is driven by pride.
Pride is a universal human character flaw – recognized by nearly all peoples and across nearly all cultures and religions.
Where Do You Find Pride in Your Life?
In our own communities, pride is generally a person acting out of self-righteous pride who boasts about their children, or their lawn, or their education, or expertise, or vacation plans, or even their political or religious beliefs.
Pride is one of those characteristics that we try so hard to modulate in our children. It is good to feel confident in your capabilities (many call this pride but I think it really is only confidence). And this is perhaps the key to understanding the source of pride.
What Causes Pride
If you are confident, there is no need for prideful bragging or petty or vindictive actions against others. You are confident in yourself and your own abilities and content. That leaves no room in your heart for pride and all its outward manifestations.
Things Often Confused With Pride
Pride is not
- Confidence
- Patriotism
- Marketing or Advertising
- Forthrightness
- Courage
How You React Makes The Difference
So I think the next time someone spills their pride out all over you, it is time to walk away quietly and understand that they likely have no confidence in themselves or their abilities – and that is a reason to forgive the transgression in hopes that one day they come to realize what they are doing to themselves. But stepping away, at least for a little while, is perhaps the best for both of you.
Now,
What do you do when someone steps all over you with their pride?
3 Responses
I think that’s good advice for when someone steps on me with their pride. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, that they don’t intend to be mean or snooty or whatever it is. And sometimes it helps to remember what you suggested – that if they are acting pridefully, it may be because they feel exactly the opposite. You know what else I have to work on? Recognizing it in myself when I have a bad attitude about someone because MY pride has been pricked. Ouch.
Oh, me too! Thanks for your thoughts!
I completely agree!