Pride--Tyler

 

Pride, ​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.

To introduce this topic in a factual manner is probably the most ironic thing that could

happen in this writing. Allow me to explain, if I were to tell a story of my joy when I overcame an obstacle would be self-indulgent. To speak of a time in which I was humbled, is still self-indulgent in some fashion. Anything other than a universal truth would be indulging in something. Suppose I did tell an emotional story, or go over some relevant issue that I took the time to study, it wouldn't have harmed you, me, or the writing, it wouldn’t have been conceited, it would have just been a coincidence with the topic; the second I say it was the only way or the obvious way, is when it becomes dangerous.

Hubris, exaggerated pride or self-confidence.

A simple difference that we know, as students of English literature, goes a long way. Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Othello, Victor Frankenstein. These characters all share one primary characteristic, their hubris, their mentality, that they were more of something, and that it made them special compared to another. Hubris is the simple notion of acting your pride, a reverse of causality essentially. Where pride is normally the effect, caused by an action, deed, idea, etc. Hubris is when the cause is pride, and the effect is the action. For example, helping groups in need, such as providing them clothes, toiletries, food, or other necessities might make you feel good about yourself, and even that you are a good person; that is pride. However, if you say that, “Hey, I am a good person, good people help those in need, thus I’m going to help those in need.”, that is hubris, because your justification implies that you are better than someone else. Pride is the result of something, while Hubris is a meek justification. But what separates the two?

Humility, a modest or low view of one's own importance.

Modesty and Humbleness, the tiny notion in the world that you are not the one who is going to solve all the problems of the universe. Just because you helped provide some people with necessities, does not mean you eliminated poverty in its entirety. So you can continue to help those in need, and continue that feeling, that you are helping, and that you are a nice person, or you can milk the statement that one time you helped someone in need. Humility reminds us, in its various forms, reminds us that we are not better nor the best. In sports, someone may always be faster, better, more technical, etc. In relationships, someone will always be kinder, so we should not take those around us for granted. In life, someone can always do the job better, so we should work hard and improve ourselves. Pride is the idea, “I will do, so that I am better” while Hubris is the idea, “I am better, so I will do it.” A simple reversal like that tells us why characters, like Frankenstein, would meet the end that they did. Victor Frankenstein thought he was the only one who could create life, and so he should take it upon himself to use this power,

and look at how that ended. Maintain a little bit of modesty, so you do not end up dying stupidly defending your ego like a Shakespearean tragic hero.

Here are a few tips to do so:

• -  Remember that you matter

• -  Remember that you do not matter MORE than someone else

• -  Remember that what you feel is okay, and perfectly valid

• -  Remember that what you feel is not a reason to impede another person’s course of life

• -  Remember that Pride and Hubris are almost uniquely human concepts, so of course we

  do not have anything.

• -  Remember that when talking about the concept of Pride, you can not avoid talking about

  the individual, or even yourself.

• -  Remember that saying, “I am humble” or, “I am modest” are ironic statements.