Pride vs. Arrogance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Pride is a positive feeling of self-worth or accomplishment, while Arrogance is an overbearing behavior rooted in an inflated sense of importance.
Difference Between Pride and Arrogance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride and Arrogance, while related in terms of self-perception, differ fundamentally in their implications and origins. Pride represents a healthy sense of self-worth and a genuine satisfaction in one's achievements or qualities. It often stems from a place of self-respect and acknowledgment of one's efforts. Conversely, Arrogance is an excessive belief in one's abilities or importance, sometimes to the point of belittling or disregarding others.
In many cultural contexts, taking Pride in one's work, character, or achievements is seen as a commendable trait. It showcases a recognition of one's hard work, growth, or innate qualities. On the flip side, Arrogance often results in a sense of superiority and can lead to behavior that disrespects or dismisses the value and feelings of others. While Pride celebrates the self in conjunction with others, Arrogance tends to place the self above others.
It's essential to understand that Pride can be felt without expressing it outwardly, allowing individuals to feel a quiet satisfaction in their achievements. In contrast, Arrogance is usually visible in behavior or speech, often manifesting as boastfulness or a dismissive attitude. While Pride seeks acknowledgment, Arrogance demands admiration.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Genuine satisfaction in achievements.
Inflated sense of self-worth or importance.
Relation to Others
Celebrates self in conjunction with others.
Places self above others.
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Manifestation
Can be internal or expressed with humility.
Often visible as boastfulness or dismissiveness.
Societal Perception
Generally viewed positively.
Typically viewed negatively.
Associated Behavior
Acknowledgment of effort and growth.
Disregard or belittlement of others.
Compare with Definitions
Pride
A flamboyant or impressive group
A pride of acrobats.
Arrogance
Overbearing pride resulting from an inflated sense of self.
His Arrogance was evident when he dismissed others' ideas.
Pride
A feeling of satisfaction derived from one's achievements.
She felt immense Pride after completing the marathon.
Arrogance
A presumption of superiority.
The team disliked his Arrogance and constant need to dominate.
Pride
A sense of dignity and self-respect.
He took Pride in his honest work ethic.
Arrogance
Excessive confidence or self-importance.
Arrogance led him to underestimate the challenge.
Pride
Appreciation of one's own worth.
With Pride, he showcased his artwork.
Arrogance
Boastful or haughty behavior.
His Arrogance was clear in his boastful tales.
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.
Arrogance
A behavior that belittles or disregards others.
Her Arrogance prevented her from seeing others' perspectives.
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Arrogance
The quality of being arrogant
The arrogance of this man is astounding
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Arrogance
The state or quality of being arrogant; overbearing pride.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Arrogance
The state of being arrogant; a type of extreme or foolish pride in which someone feels much superior to another.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Arrogance
The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption.
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Arrogance
Overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Pride
(Zoology) A group of lions, usually consisting of several related females and their offspring and a small number of unrelated adult males.
Pride
To indulge (oneself) in a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction
I pride myself on this beautiful garden.
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.
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.
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation.
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
Lust; sexual desire; especially, excitement of sexual appetite in a female animal.
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
Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness; hence, lust; sexual desire; esp., an excitement of sexual appetite in a female beast.
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
Pride
A joyful recognition of a group one belongs to.
Pride parades celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.
Pride
Confidence without conceit.
Her Pride in her work was evident, yet she remained humble.
Common Curiosities
Can Arrogance be a defense mechanism?
Yes, some people use Arrogance as a shield against insecurities.
Why might someone display Arrogance?
Causes can range from upbringing, societal influences, insecurities, or past experiences.
Is Pride always positive?
While Pride is often positive, excessive Pride can border on Arrogance.
Is it wrong to take Pride in one's achievements?
No, taking Pride in achievements is healthy; it becomes problematic when it turns into Arrogance.
Can Pride turn into Arrogance?
Yes, unchecked or excessive Pride can evolve into Arrogance.
Are Pride and confidence the same?
No, while they're related, Pride relates to self-worth, whereas confidence pertains to belief in abilities.
Can Arrogance be mistaken for confidence?
Yes, Arrogance can sometimes be mistaken for confidence, but it lacks humility.
How can one distinguish between Pride and Arrogance?
Pride is about self-respect and appreciation, while Arrogance places oneself above others.
Can Pride be taught?
While certain experiences can foster Pride, genuine Pride stems from internal acknowledgment and self-worth.
Why is Arrogance viewed negatively?
Arrogance often involves disregarding or belittling others, which is socially frowned upon.
Is being proud of someone else still considered Pride?
Yes, feeling Pride for someone else's achievements is a form of vicarious Pride.
What's the opposite of Pride?
Shame or humiliation could be considered opposites of Pride.
Can one be humble and still have Pride?
Absolutely, one can take Pride in their work or qualities while remaining humble.
Does Arrogance ever have benefits?
While it can project confidence, the negative social implications often outweigh any short-term gains.
What's a synonym for Arrogance?
Haughtiness or conceit can be synonyms for Arrogance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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.
