Pride Definition: We explain what pride, arrogance, and vanity are, and how they are considered by morality and psychology. Also, other deadly sins. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What is pride?
Traditionally, pride is known as an excessive self-esteem that places us above others. Catholic Christian tradition uses these terms to name one of the seven deadly or cardinal sins, each one opposed to one of the theological virtues of a good Christian.
Arrogance and pride are often used synonymously, although according to the Royal Spanish Academy, certain nuances can be distinguished between the two. Thus, the former would be the excessive desire to stand out above others, while the latter would be related to arrogance, to excessive self-esteem. Must Read About 👉 Lust Once.
In terms of their moral and social effects, however, they are more or less the same, with the exception that arrogance always has a negative connotation, while pride can have a positive, self-satisfied meaning, as when saying we are proud of someone.
Now, arrogance has been frowned upon since ancient times. The ancient Greeks called it hubris, and it was the cause of the downfall of their great mythological heroes: at some point in their exploits, they rejected the help of a deity or allowed themselves to rival them, thus unleashing tragedy upon themselves, given that the gods rudely reminded them of their humanity and mortality—that is, of their place in the order of things.
On the other hand, psychology associates these concepts with narcissism and the various possible ways of compensating for a feeling of inferiority (a phenomenon called overcompensation).
In turn, the Western moral tradition, heir to Christianity (and especially Catholicism), has identified pride with one of its mythological antagonists: the fallen angel Lucifer or Satan, who, according to John Milton’s Paradise Lost, committed the sin of believing himself equal to God.
In any case, pride (from the Latin superbia, “superiority”), pride (from the French orgueil), and vanity (from the Latin vanitatis, “falsehood,” “appearance”) are often referred to as similar sins, and depending on the biblical translation, one may be preferred over the other. Must Read About 👉 Anger Once.
Difference between arrogance, pride, and vanity
As we explained before, arrogance and pride tend to be more or less synonymous. However, arrogance is always interpreted from a negative perspective, that is, as overconfidence, self-love, or an overestimation of one’s abilities.
On the other hand, pride can be a feeling of general satisfaction with a task well done, or with the triumph of a loved one, which would be a positive assessment of the experience, a kind of emotional reward. However, in other cases, it can also be considered a negative trait.
In contrast, vanity has to do with the ego and excessive self-esteem, especially in relation to attractiveness and physical appearance. A vain or ostentatious person is one who struts, that is, who flaunts their attractiveness or possessions, thinking themselves better than they really are. In that sense, vanity would also be one of the forms of arrogance. Must Read About 👉 Avarice Once.
Other Deadly Sins
Apart from pride, the other six deadly (or cardinal) sins were the following:
- Anger, understood as excessive rage, bitterness, and hatred.
- Gluttony, understood as excessive indulgence in food (and drink).
- Lust, understood as the vicious pursuit of sexual and erotic pleasures.
- Envy, understood as hatred for the success and happiness of others and the desire to destroy them.
- Avarice, understood as excessive attachment to material goods and wealth.
- Sloth, understood as laziness or a complete lack of diligence.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- “Pride” in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Seven Deadly Sins” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
