Pride vs. Enthusiasm — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
Pride involves a deep satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions, whereas enthusiasm is a lively interest or eagerness in a particular thing or activity.
Difference Between Pride and Enthusiasm
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride is fundamentally about self-regard and the pleasure or fulfillment one feels from personal accomplishments or the qualities of something closely associated with oneself. In contrast, enthusiasm is characterized by a general zeal or fervor for engaging in or learning about something, driven by interest rather than self-esteem.
Pride often leads individuals to uphold certain standards or maintain a status that reflects positively on themselves, which can be motivating but sometimes rigid. Enthusiasm, on the other hand, encourages a flexible and open approach, allowing for a dynamic and often spontaneous involvement in activities or ideas.
While pride can foster a sense of confidence and identity, giving individuals a stable base from which to operate, it can also lead to arrogance or an unwillingness to acknowledge flaws. Enthusiasm, meanwhile, typically promotes positivity and energy, which can enhance creativity and teamwork but might lack focus without guidance.
The emotional experience of pride is usually more internal and reflective, often related to one's past actions or achievements. Enthusiasm, however, is outwardly expressive and forward-looking, concerned more with possibilities and processes rather than outcomes.
In social contexts, pride can be perceived as less approachable, as it sometimes involves maintaining an image or reputation. Enthusiasm, conversely, tends to make individuals appear more accessible and communicative, eager to share and participate.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Satisfaction from personal achievements
Lively interest or eagerness in something
Emotional Basis
Self-regard and fulfillment
Zeal and positive energy
Motivation
Maintaining or enhancing self-image
Interest and enjoyment in activities
Expression
Often internal and reserved
Outward and expressive
Social Perception
Can be seen as rigid or arrogant
Generally viewed as positive and engaging
Compare with Definitions
Pride
Pleasure from association with someone or something well-regarded.
The teacher took pride in her students' progress.
Enthusiasm
The state of being enthusiastic.
Enthusiasm at the rally was high.
Pride
A feeling of satisfaction derived from achievements.
She felt a deep pride in her son's accomplishments.
Enthusiasm
Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Her enthusiasm for the new project was contagious.
Pride
Self-esteem reflected in actions and attitudes.
They took pride in their meticulously kept garden.
Enthusiasm
A feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it.
His enthusiasm for chess made him a formidable opponent.
Pride
Consciousness of one's own dignity.
He carried himself with pride, refusing to be demeaned.
Enthusiasm
Passionate zeal for something.
She pursued her studies with enthusiasm.
Pride
A sense of superiority that one derives from being part of a particular group.
National pride was evident during the celebrations.
Enthusiasm
In modern usage, enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person. The term is related to playfulness, inventiveness, optimism and high energy.
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.
Enthusiasm
Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause.
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Enthusiasm
A source or cause of great excitement or interest.
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Enthusiasm
Ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Enthusiasm
Religious fanaticism.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Enthusiasm
Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.
Try to curb your enthusiasm.
They have a great enthusiasm for country music.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Enthusiasm
Something in which one is keenly interested.
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Enthusiasm
Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Enthusiasm
Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power; ecstasy; hence, a conceit of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some divine impulse.
Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed or overweening imagination.
Pride
A flamboyant or impressive group
A pride of acrobats.
Enthusiasm
A state of impassioned emotion; transport; elevation of fancy; exaltation of soul; as, the poetry of enthusiasm.
Resolutions adopted in enthusiasm are often repented of when excitement has been succeeded by the wearing duties of hard everyday routine.
Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating shrewdness.
Pride
To indulge (oneself) in a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction
I pride myself on this beautiful garden.
Enthusiasm
Enkindled and kindling fervor of soul; strong excitement of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject; ardent and imaginative zeal or interest; as, he engaged in his profession with enthusiasm.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
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.
Enthusiasm
Lively manifestation of joy or zeal.
Philip was greeted with a tumultuous enthusiasm.
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.
Enthusiasm
A feeling of excitement
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation.
Enthusiasm
Overflowing with enthusiasm
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.
Enthusiasm
A lively interest;
Enthusiasm for his program is growing
Pride
Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory.
Pride
Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness.
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
Be proud of;
He prides himself on making it into law school
Common Curiosities
How does enthusiasm affect social interactions?
It generally makes interactions more dynamic and engaging.
What is the main emotional driver behind pride?
The main driver is self-regard and satisfaction from personal accomplishments.
What are typical outcomes of enthusiasm in a team setting?
Increased creativity and collaborative effort.
Can pride be a negative trait?
Yes, when it leads to arrogance or inflexibility.
How can enthusiasm influence learning?
It can enhance engagement and retention of information.
What can dampen enthusiasm?
Repetition, lack of results, or discouragement.
What role does pride play in personal identity?
It reinforces a sense of self and personal standards.
How does enthusiasm manifest in a workplace?
As increased energy and a proactive approach to tasks.
Is pride more related to past or future achievements?
It is more related to past achievements and established qualities.
Can too much pride be harmful to relationships?
Yes, it can create distance and hinder open communication.
How do pride and enthusiasm compare in motivating people?
Pride motivates through self-image enhancement, while enthusiasm motivates through interest and enjoyment.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
