It’s true you know.  That definitions are by no means definitive.  There’s always the exceptions, the unique circumstances and the qualifications to challenge any word you may consider definitively defined.  Enter my most recent paper for English Comp — the definition paper. Our esteemed professor wanted to define, redefine or elaborate on the word, idea, or concept that struck out fancy.  Delve into the complexities and nuances that are present in every word.  I chose pride.  Now the following paper is written for a class, therefore it is formal in tone.  Let me know what you think!

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           Pride is necessary to life as it motivates and calls to something better.  It is not content with good enough because it strives for the best.  Pride rooted in reality looks at a situation for what it is, looks at itself and what it can do, and puts the two together to achieve something greater than the sum of the parts.  Pride not rooted in reality becomes a stumbling block as it blinds its user to reality and his own faults.  Faults seen are easily dealt with and corrected in the strive to be better; there is no disgrace in these faults.  But when pride becomes bigger than its user, it controls them and causes them to unknowingly self-destruct, fulfilling the proverb, “Pride goes before destruction” (The Holy Bible. Prov. 16.18).   The obvious antonym to this form of pride is the word humility; however, in the world of true pride, humility becomes a synonym.  Humility continues the process of self-examination as much as pride begins it.  Beware the fine line of humility, pride rooted in reality, and the arrogant pride of false humility not rooted in reality which leads down into that same self-destructive spiral.

            While the majority of people define pride as a negative trait, pride in its purest form is extremely positive as it allows for critical self-examination and positive change. Without some form of pride, people risk personal stagnation.  Dictionary.com defines pride as, “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc”(“Pride”).  This narrow definition reflects the negative connotation the word ‘pride’ has received.  The negative connotation misplaces and regulates pride to a dreadful grievance resulting in disdain and hatred from honest people.  This is incorrect. Pride comes in knowing one’s self.  According to one definition it is a, “proper sense of own value; the correct level of respect for the importance and value of your personal character, life, efforts, or achievements” (Encarta. “Pride”). Without this awareness, one cannot possibly expect to change, adapt or improve their character, attitude and actions.  Pride rooted in reality accomplishes this without endangering the user.  It allows itself to be questioned and evaluated because it understands the continuous process of learning and self-improvement.

            Is that not the very definition of humbleness? To be “conscious of one’s failings” (“Humble”)?  Humility and the lack of humility are nebulous beings, taking many different forms, accomplishing many different ends.  Without humility, pride strives to be better only to be stopped by the arrogance of not acknowledging its faults and limitations.  This form of pride results in a person who demands perfection from himself, and will continuously strive for this impossible ideal.  These people show extreme arrogance, not listening to advice.  Although excellent at what they do, they eventually isolate themselves from any form of feedback or critique.  Humbleness is also defined as, “having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc” (“Humbleness”).  Many times this humility can grow till it becomes a form of pride in itself.  In Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis expresses this concept in the form of a devil’s suggestion, “Catch him at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, ‘By jove! I’m being humble’, and almost immediately pride — pride at his own humility — will appear” (Lewis. Wikiquote.).  Many times this humility creeps in subtlety, making it even more dangerous than blatant arrogance.  People who possess this form of pride – false humility – get caught in a downward spiral which does not allow for improvement as it wallows in mediocrity and grows to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  While these two forms of pride are negative, with appropriate humility, pride allows critical examination and positive progress towards a better end.

            Pride rooted in reality juxtaposes the prideful strive to become better with the humility to acknowledge and correct any faults found along the way.  Pride knows one’s self, while humility knows one’s faults.  Situations that require critical thinking and talent to solve necessitate a pride that knows itself, what it can accomplish, and ultimately its limitations.  This mindset requires humility for without it the user, the situation, and anyone involved risk catastrophic failure.  For a businessman to be successful he must have a pride in his work and a pride that does not settle for good enough; along with the humility to correct his mistakes and learn from those better than him.  For a search and rescue team to be effective, the members of the team must have pride above and beyond the average citizen, but also the wisdom of humility to consider a situation and realize their human limitations.  Any life situation encountered involves this struggle between true pride and humility.  Understanding true pride and humility allow the person to use both effectively toward a better self, life and environment.

              Human nature struggles with this relationship as it would prefer to run with whatever thought or emotion that arises in the moment.  As such, this alliance between pride, humility and the human nature tiptoes a very fine line.  Pride is not always negative as humility is not always positive.  Pride rooted in reality and humility as its synonym allow for life lived to the fullest, permitting mistakes as a part of the process of changing, adapting and improving itself and its environment.  Without humility there would be nothing to improve.  Without pride there would be no desire to improve.  Both are necessary to life.

Works Cited

“Humble.” Collinslanguage.com. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2011. Web. 9 October 2011

“Humbleness.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2011. Web. 9 October 2011.

 Lewis, C.S. “Screwtape Letters.” Wikiquote.org. Wikipedia. 29 August 2011. Web. 11 October 2011.

 “Pride.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2011. Web. 9 October 2011.

“Pride.” Encarta Dictionary: English (North America.). Microsoft Word, 2007. Computer Software. 9 October 2011.

The Holy Bible (English Standard Version). Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles, 2007. Electronic.