Often cast as a vice, especially in Christian contexts (“pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”), pride can certainly go too far and become arrogance or exaggerated self-regard. But see the note on “humility”: pride can be a virtue at the golden mean, and it can be useful for someone with low self esteem to work on their pride as a virtue.

It’s important not to have the sort of fragile pride that is dependent on the assessments of others, and therefore susceptible to insults or ridicule, because this can cause you to make lots of mistakes.

Complementary virtues¶

• dignity
• self worth

Contrasting vices¶

• low self esteem
• shame
• vanity (vice of excess)

Virtues possibly in tension¶

• humility
• modesty

How to acquire or strengthen it¶

TBD

Notes and links¶

• Aristotle on pride as a virtue
• OOO: pride/vainglory

Mentioned elsewhere¶

• One of Ayn Rand’s "objectivist" virtues, along with rationality and productiveness.

Inspirational quotes¶

• Henry V: “Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin / as self-neglecting.”
• “Pride only helps us to be generous; it never makes us so, any more than vanity makes us witty.” —George Eliot (Middlemarch)