Pride vs. Wrath — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
Pride involves a deep satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or qualities, while wrath is intense anger typically spurred by perceived wrongs.
Difference Between Pride and Wrath
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride is often considered a positive emotion when it stems from personal accomplishments or virtues, enhancing one's self-esteem. On the other hand, wrath represents a more destructive emotion, characterized by extreme anger and a desire for revenge, which can lead to negative outcomes.
Pride can motivate individuals to strive for greater achievements and maintain personal standards. Whereas wrath can cloud judgment, leading to impulsive and often regrettable actions.
In literature, pride is frequently depicted as a complex trait that can lead to both heroism and downfall, depending on its context. Conversely, wrath is typically portrayed as a catalyst for conflict and chaos, emphasizing its volatile nature.
Socially, pride is encouraged to a moderate extent as it is linked to positive self-regard and confidence. However, wrath is generally discouraged in social interactions due to its potential to harm relationships and escalate conflicts.
Ethically, pride is acceptable when it does not morph into arrogance or vanity, which can alienate others. In contrast, wrath is usually seen as less acceptable because it can lead to acts of aggression or violence, posing ethical dilemmas.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Satisfaction from one’s achievements.
Intense anger from perceived wrongs.
Typical Cause
Achievements, qualities.
Injustice, betrayal.
Social Impact
Can enhance self-esteem and relations.
Often damages relationships.
Representation
Both positive and negative in literature.
Generally negative in literature.
Emotional Result
Can lead to self-improvement.
Often leads to destructive outcomes.
Compare with Definitions
Pride
A sense of superiority over others.
His pride made him dismiss the advice of his peers.
Wrath
Intense and often vengeful anger.
His wrath was unleashed after the betrayal.
Pride
Self-respect and dignity.
She walked with pride after overcoming her challenges.
Wrath
A forceful, destructive action.
The wrath of the storm left the village in ruins.
Pride
A feeling of satisfaction from one's own achievements.
She felt a strong sense of pride after winning the award.
Wrath
An outburst resulting from frustration.
Her wrath was evident when she found the broken vase.
Pride
A group of lions.
A pride of lions was spotted resting under the tree.
Wrath
Punishment or vengeance.
The ruler’s wrath fell upon the disloyal subjects.
Pride
National or cultural identity pride.
They celebrated their cultural pride during the festival.
Wrath
Divine retribution.
In many religions, followers fear the wrath of God.
Pride
Pride is positive emotional response or attitude to something with an intimate connection to oneself, due to its perceived value. Oxford defines it amongst other things as "the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's own importance" This may be related to one's own abilities or achievements, positive characteristics of friends or family, or one's country.
Wrath
Extreme anger
He hid his pipe for fear of incurring his father's wrath
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Wrath
Forceful, often vindictive anger.
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Wrath
Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Wrath
Wrathful.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Wrath
Great anger.
Homer relates an episode in the Trojan War that reveals the tragic consequences of the wrath of Achilles.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Wrath
(rare) Punishment.
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Wrath
Wrathful; wroth; very angry.
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Wrath
(obsolete) To anger; to enrage.
Pride
(Zoology) A group of lions, usually consisting of several related females and their offspring and a small number of unrelated adult males.
Wrath
Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; rage; fury; ire.
Wrath is a fire, and jealousy a weed.
When the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased.
Now smoking and frothingIts tumult and wrath in.
Pride
A flamboyant or impressive group
A pride of acrobats.
Wrath
The effects of anger or indignation; the just punishment of an offense or a crime.
Pride
To indulge (oneself) in a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction
I pride myself on this beautiful garden.
Wrath
See Wroth.
Pride
The quality or state of being proud; an unreasonable overestimation of one's own superiority in terms of talents, looks, wealth, importance etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve and often contempt of others.
Wrath
To anger; to enrage; - also used impersonally.
If him wratheth, be ywar and his way shun.
Pride
A sense of one's own worth, and scorn for what is beneath or unworthy of oneself; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; rejection of shame
He took pride in his work.
He had pride of ownership in his department.
Wrath
Intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation.
Wrath
Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Pride
That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-congratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.
Pride
Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory.
Pride
Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness.
Pride
A company of lions or other large felines.
A pride of lions often consists of a dominant male, his harem and their offspring, but young adult males 'leave home' to roam about as bachelors pride until able to seize/establish a family pride of their own.
Pride
(zoology) The small European lamprey species Petromyzon branchialis.
Pride
(reflexive) To take or experience pride in something; to be proud of it.
I pride myself on being a good judge of character.
Pride
A small European lamprey (Petromyzon branchialis); - called also prid, and sandpiper.
Pride
The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.
Those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.
Pride
A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; proud delight; - in a good sense.
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride.
A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain.
Let not the foot of pride come against me.
That hardly we escaped the pride of France.
Pride
That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.
Lofty trees yclad with summer's pride.
I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
A bold peasantry, their country's pride.
Pride
Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.
Pride
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life.
A falcon, towering in her pride of place.
Pride
To indulge in pride, or self-esteem; to rate highly; to plume; - used reflexively.
Pluming and priding himself in all his services.
Pride
To be proud; to glory.
Pride
A feeling of self-respect and personal worth
Pride
Satisfaction with your (or another's) achievements;
He takes pride in his son's success
Pride
The trait of being spurred on by a dislike of falling below your standards
Pride
A group of lions
Pride
Unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Pride
Be proud of;
He prides himself on making it into law school
Common Curiosities
What is the primary emotion associated with pride?
Pride is primarily linked to satisfaction and self-esteem.
Can pride lead to conflict?
Yes, excessive pride can lead to conflicts, especially when it involves arrogance.
What are the consequences of unchecked wrath?
Unchecked wrath can lead to personal and social chaos.
How can pride be both positive and negative?
Pride can be positive when it motivates self-improvement and negative when it leads to arrogance.
How is wrath depicted in religious texts?
Wrath is often depicted as a divine punishment in religious texts.
How do pride and wrath affect personal relationships?
Pride can either enhance or damage relationships based on its level, whereas wrath typically harms relationships.
What typically triggers wrath?
Wrath is often triggered by feelings of injustice or betrayal.
Can wrath be justified?
While sometimes understandable, wrath that leads to harm or irrational actions is generally seen as unjustified.
Is wrath always a negative emotion?
Yes, wrath is generally considered negative due to its destructive implications.
Can pride be taught or cultivated?
Yes, pride based on real achievements and personal growth can be cultivated.
What can be done to manage wrath?
Strategies like mindfulness, communication, and therapy can help manage wrath.
How does society view pride?
Society views pride positively when it is moderate and linked to genuine accomplishments.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
