Pride vs. Humility — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 24, 2024
Pride is a sense of self-respect and worth, whereas humility involves a modest view of one's importance.
Difference Between Pride and Humility
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride often manifests as confidence in one's abilities, achievements, or qualities, potentially leading to a refusal to acknowledge limitations. In contrast, humility is characterized by a recognition of one's limitations and a willingness to learn and grow from others, emphasizing an understanding of one's place in a larger context.
While pride can foster self-esteem and motivate individuals to achieve greatness, it can also veer into arrogance or egotism when not balanced, overshadowing the contributions of others. On the other hand, humility, by acknowledging one's flaws and the value of others, fosters cooperation, empathy, and effective leadership.
Pride in healthy doses encourages individuals to take ownership of their actions and persist in the face of adversity, celebrating personal and communal achievements. Conversely, humility is not about self-deprecation but about maintaining a realistic assessment of one's abilities and contributions, often leading to greater respect from others.
The balance between pride and humility is crucial in personal development and social interactions. Excessive pride can alienate others and hinder personal growth, while excessive humility might lead to undervaluing oneself. Striking a balance allows for a healthy self-image and effective interpersonal relationships.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A sense of self-respect and worth based on one’s achievements or qualities.
A modest or low view of one's importance, acknowledging limitations.
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Manifestation
Confidence, sometimes veering into arrogance.
Recognition of limitations, willingness to learn.
Potential Outcome
Can lead to self-esteem and motivation; risk of becoming arrogance.
Fosters cooperation, empathy, and respect; risk of underestimation.
Focus
On self and individual achievements.
On others and the larger context.
Social Impact
Can motivate achievements but potentially alienate others.
Promotes teamwork and effective leadership, gaining respect from others.
Compare with Definitions
Pride
Confidence and self-respect as expressed by members of a group, often to affirm identity.
The pride parade celebrates LGBTQ+ community achievements and rights.
Humility
A modest or low view of one's importance.
Despite his success, he maintained his humility.
Pride
The belief in the worth of one's own achievements or qualities.
Her pride in her work motivates her to excel.
Humility
The act of valuing others’ qualities and contributions highly.
His humility makes him a respected leader.
Pride
A feeling of satisfaction derived from one's achievements.
She felt a deep sense of pride after graduating top of her class.
Humility
A characteristic that fosters learning and growth by acknowledging one can improve.
She approached her new role with humility, eager to learn from everyone.
Pride
The quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself.
His pride made him reluctant to ask for help.
Humility
Willingness to see oneself accurately, including strengths and weaknesses.
His humility allows him to learn from criticism.
Pride
A feeling of dignity and honor held for oneself or one’s group.
He takes pride in his family's tradition of public service.
Humility
The quality of being humble and respectful to others.
Her humility is evident in how she credits her team for their success.
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.
Humility
Humility is the quality of being humble. Dictionary definitions accentuate humility as a low self-regard and sense of unworthiness.
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Humility
The quality or condition of being humble.
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Humility
The characteristic of being humble; humbleness in character and behavior.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Humility
The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness.
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Humility
An act of submission or courtesy.
With these humilities they satisfied the young king.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Humility
A disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride;
Not everyone regards humility as a virtue
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Humility
A humble feeling;
He was filled with humility at the sight of the Pope
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Pride
A flamboyant or impressive group
A pride of acrobats.
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
(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
Is humility a weakness?
Far from being a weakness, humility is a strength that fosters open-mindedness, learning, and respect in social and professional interactions.
What is humility?
Humility is a modest view of one’s own importance, characterized by a lack of arrogance and a willingness to recognize and learn from the strengths and achievements of others.
How does society view pride vs. humility?
Societal views vary, but generally, healthy pride is celebrated as a sign of confidence and success, while humility is respected as a sign of wisdom and maturity.
How can pride be positive?
When balanced, pride can boost self-esteem, motivate achievements, and inspire others, as long as it doesn’t veer into arrogance.
Why is humility important in leadership?
Humility in leadership fosters teamwork, encourages open communication, and builds respect, leading to more effective and cohesive groups.
What is pride?
Pride is a feeling of self-respect and satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, qualities, or the status of being part of certain groups.
How do pride and humility affect relationships?
Pride, when excessive, can strain relationships through arrogance or insensitivity, while humility tends to strengthen bonds by valuing and respecting others.
Is pride always related to ego?
While pride is related to one’s ego, it doesn’t always signify a negative aspect; it becomes problematic when it distorts self-perception and impacts relationships negatively.
How can one develop humility?
Developing humility involves recognizing one's limitations, valuing others’ contributions, and being open to learning and growth.
Can a person exhibit both pride and humility?
Yes, a balanced individual can exhibit both by taking pride in achievements while remaining humble about their own importance and open to learning.
Can cultural factors influence perceptions of pride and humility?
Yes, cultural factors significantly influence how pride and humility are perceived and expressed, with some cultures valuing modesty and others celebrating individual achievements.
How do pride and humility impact personal growth?
Pride can motivate personal achievements, but without humility, it can hinder learning from failures; humility allows for growth by acknowledging one can always improve.
What are the risks of excessive pride?
Excessive pride can lead to arrogance, isolation, and an inability to grow from feedback, potentially leading to personal and professional setbacks.
What role does humility play in societal progress?
Humility promotes collaboration, empathy, and the exchange of ideas, which are crucial for societal progress and solving complex problems.
How do pride and humility influence decision-making?
Pride can sometimes cloud judgment with overconfidence, while humility can lead to more considered and inclusive decision-making.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
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.
