Time seems to have surely flown by as 2010 is reaching it's end. Hopefully it's been a great year for you all as it has been for me. Anyways, I know it's been sometime since I've last posted an entry. Well, your in luck as I'm unable to get one wink of sleep this restless and cold night.
How much pride is necessary for one individual to succeed? Pride is the deadliest of the seven sins yet they're not even listed in the bible. How much pride do we need to possess before it becomes detrimental to the point of own downfall? It's no doubt that pride was the sin that caused Satan and his minions to be out casted from heaven. This guy was so arrogant that he thought and seeked to be more powerful than his own creator. Centuries after the first original sin, how is the top Grammy winner or CEO any different? Are we naive to even think they are?
Although it is safe to assume that some extent of this deadly sin is necessary. It's the pride we take in our country, culture, appearance, and our work that allows us to excel. But it's this same sort of pridefulness that has caused wars (i.e. Holocaust) and a sense of superiority over others. But just imagine for one second ( yes , seriously entertain this idea for a second or two) what your country would be like with no pride. If the military, the citizens, and the governing body took absolutely no pride in being the best . The par of living and standards would definitely take a huge affect. So some sort of pride is necessary but maybe it's the type of pride that's being possessed. Now it is crucial for one in their field to be the best, to master and hone their craft. It's almost imperative to society(i.e. think how Beethoven, Picasso,etc have contributed to history).
Now, there is a difference between individual pride that leads to narcissism. Vanity shouldn't be confused for pride.No one ever seems to be too keen on the individual that is so full of himself. We all know the story of Narcissus who fell in the river staring at his own reflection. Maybe it's this form of Pride they were referring to. You and I have met if not one, at least several of these individuals. They're so self-absorbed that they fail to realize there's a whole another world out there. But I will incontrovertibly say that society has aided in this form of behavior. We're constantly told to dress the best, to be the top in our career, to drive the latest car, etc .with so much focusing on ourselves that leaves little time for humanity. This is something dancers especially ballet dancers know all too well. They spend their lives in vanity staring at every piece of their body in the mirror coming closer by every inch of perfection mastering this art.
Pride seems to have become more of a vice than a sin. Humbleness is in that case a necessary virtue. We need to watch that we don't possess an abundance of it to the point of corruption. Confidence and dignity appear to be one of the same with pride. I think that in life the more success you experience the more humble you should be. It says a lot about your character and will make it a lot more tolerable for others to be around you. Like Arnold Beckman said "Everything in moderation, including moderation..." Which makes perfect sense. What's your perspective?
How much pride is necessary for one individual to succeed? Pride is the deadliest of the seven sins yet they're not even listed in the bible. How much pride do we need to possess before it becomes detrimental to the point of own downfall? It's no doubt that pride was the sin that caused Satan and his minions to be out casted from heaven. This guy was so arrogant that he thought and seeked to be more powerful than his own creator. Centuries after the first original sin, how is the top Grammy winner or CEO any different? Are we naive to even think they are?
Although it is safe to assume that some extent of this deadly sin is necessary. It's the pride we take in our country, culture, appearance, and our work that allows us to excel. But it's this same sort of pridefulness that has caused wars (i.e. Holocaust) and a sense of superiority over others. But just imagine for one second ( yes , seriously entertain this idea for a second or two) what your country would be like with no pride. If the military, the citizens, and the governing body took absolutely no pride in being the best . The par of living and standards would definitely take a huge affect. So some sort of pride is necessary but maybe it's the type of pride that's being possessed. Now it is crucial for one in their field to be the best, to master and hone their craft. It's almost imperative to society(i.e. think how Beethoven, Picasso,etc have contributed to history).
Now, there is a difference between individual pride that leads to narcissism. Vanity shouldn't be confused for pride.No one ever seems to be too keen on the individual that is so full of himself. We all know the story of Narcissus who fell in the river staring at his own reflection. Maybe it's this form of Pride they were referring to. You and I have met if not one, at least several of these individuals. They're so self-absorbed that they fail to realize there's a whole another world out there. But I will incontrovertibly say that society has aided in this form of behavior. We're constantly told to dress the best, to be the top in our career, to drive the latest car, etc .with so much focusing on ourselves that leaves little time for humanity. This is something dancers especially ballet dancers know all too well. They spend their lives in vanity staring at every piece of their body in the mirror coming closer by every inch of perfection mastering this art.
Pride seems to have become more of a vice than a sin. Humbleness is in that case a necessary virtue. We need to watch that we don't possess an abundance of it to the point of corruption. Confidence and dignity appear to be one of the same with pride. I think that in life the more success you experience the more humble you should be. It says a lot about your character and will make it a lot more tolerable for others to be around you. Like Arnold Beckman said "Everything in moderation, including moderation..." Which makes perfect sense. What's your perspective?
Hey Nikki,
ReplyDeleteThought I would have a lot to say about the subject but you kind of hit things on the head...Pride is the reason we are living in a capitalize world and not the Resource based economy we all should be living in...I wish people can see the type of hurt and type of sorrow they create with their pride they live with...there is so much people need to change like people being humble because in this world we live in I don't a lot of people who are actually there like I am...And the reason I became so humble is what I've been through in my life...
Sincerely,
Frank Mena
Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteI defenitely agree with you. All you have to do is look at our food system and see how the government has corrupted it. ( Even as a vegeterian it's almost impossible to escape their damage, Food Inc is a great documentary on this) Pride is the deadliest because it leads to the other sins such as greed, envy, etc. Life can defintely submit you into humbleness.
I thought this was a great topic because it's kind of a catch 22 depending how you view it. Thanks for your comment! ;-)
Best Regards,
Niki
You are right it is a catch 22 because pride is needed but too much of it leads to the world that we see it as today... The thing with pride is its the sin we all have within ourselves that will divide us till its solved or even destroy this world to the point where it can't be saved...
ReplyDelete