by Pat Gray

Created on: April 13, 2008

Pride is considered one of the seven deadly sins - it's actually considered the worst sin of all, according to the list's creators. I've always been puzzled by the "sins" on this list, because they all seemed like they could also be virtues, if examined from a slightly less sanctimonious perspective.

In my opinion, pride, if justly deserved, without conceit or arrogance, is a necessity for success and mental well-being.

False pride - thinking you're something you aren't, assuming you're more important that everyone else, assuming airs - is perhaps not a deadly sin, but is rather a severe character flaw.

False pride comes from the belief that you, your group, your ideas are right just because you say you're right, or that you're right because of "divine providence". False pride is the pride of the medieval kings, dictators old and new, thugs, hooligans and out of control celebrities.

"We're more important than you can we can do as we please - and you had better bow down and worship, or at least pay attention, to US."

False pride also subjugates everyone else to your whims - "I want that country", "I want your wallet", "I want you to agree with me just because I say so".

But what about pride that is earned and deserved, because of genuine success, because of personal merit, hard work and achieving results? How can honesty be a sin - how can recognizing our own REAL abilities send us to eternal damnation?

Allowing and encouraging children to show pride in their REAL accomplishments, can only help them to achieve more and to avoid arrogance later in life.

Pride can keep someone from falling into other "sins" - pride in our appearance may keep us from over eating (gluttony) or from desiring our neighbors property (envy).

Pride in their ability to provide for a family may keep someone working and off the breadline - or away from a life of crime.

Pride in a home or a community keeps things in repair, and keeps neighborhoods safe and united.

Taking pride in our ability to judge right from wrong/true from false can keep us from becoming gullible sheep.

And perhaps those who originally drafted this list of "evils" had that in mind all along - keeping us followers rather than thinkers. People without pride in their own ability to think probably wouldn't challenge the powers that be, especially with eternal damnation hanging over their heads.

So the effect of pride that is deserved and accepted without arrogance is the ability to make positive choices in life. Pride can have the effect of making the world a better place, one honest and competent person at a time.

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