Pride vs. Selfish — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 12, 2024
Pride refers to a feeling of deep satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions, whereas selfishness denotes prioritizing one's own needs, desires, or interests above those of others.
Difference Between Pride and Selfish
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride is an emotion that individuals experience when they acknowledge their own accomplishments or the virtues of someone or something they are associated with. It can be a positive force, motivating individuals to achieve and maintain high standards. Selfishness, in contrast, is a trait characterized by putting one's own interests ahead of others', often at the expense of others' well-being. While pride can foster a sense of fulfillment and confidence, selfishness typically leads to isolation and conflict with others.
Pride, when balanced, contributes to healthy self-esteem and personal growth, encouraging people to take responsibility for their actions and strive for excellence. However, excessive pride can morph into arrogance or hubris, leading to a disregard for others' feelings or contributions. Selfishness, inherently negative, undermines relationships and teamwork, as it shows a lack of consideration for anyone besides oneself.
In societal and interpersonal dynamics, pride can enhance an individual's reputation and inspire others, provided it's based on genuine achievements and is expressed with humility. On the other hand, selfish behavior is generally frowned upon, as it disrupts social harmony and shows a lack of empathy.
The root of pride lies in achievement and the appreciation of oneself or one's group, which can be directed towards constructive ends. Selfishness stems from a focus on personal gain, often ignoring the consequences of one’s actions on others. While pride can be shared and celebrated with others, selfishness isolates and separates individuals from their community.
Understanding the difference between healthy pride and selfishness is crucial for personal development and maintaining positive relationships. Pride should be a reflection of one's true accomplishments and character without diminishing others, whereas avoiding selfish actions ensures the well-being of those around us.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Satisfaction from one’s achievements or qualities
Prioritizing own needs over others’
Nature
Can be positive or negative
Generally negative
Impact on Self
Enhances self-esteem and motivation
Leads to isolation and conflict
Impact on Others
Can inspire and be shared
Undermines relationships and teamwork
Root Cause
Achievement and appreciation
Focus on personal gain
Compare with Definitions
Pride
Feeling of satisfaction.
He felt a deep sense of pride after completing the marathon.
Selfish
Prioritizing self over others.
His selfish decision to leave early left the team understaffed.
Pride
Can lead to arrogance if excessive.
His pride turned into arrogance, alienating his colleagues.
Selfish
Focus on personal gain.
His selfish ambition drove him to ignore his family's needs.
Pride
Can be communal.
The community's pride in their cultural festival was palpable.
Selfish
Often leads to conflict.
The selfish behavior of one member caused discord in the group.
Pride
Positive self-regard.
Her pride in her work motivated her to achieve excellence.
Selfish
Lacking consideration for others.
Her selfish actions at the expense of her friends strained their relationship.
Pride
Reflects accomplishments.
They took pride in their children's academic achievements.
Selfish
Hinders teamwork.
The project failed due to the selfish interests of its members conflicting.
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.
Selfish
Concerned chiefly or excessively with oneself, and having little regard for others
A selfish child who wouldn't share toys.
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Selfish
Showing or arising from an excessive concern with oneself and a lack of concern for others
A selfish whim.
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Selfish
The present quote doesn't illustrate the meaning very well.Holding one's own self-interest as the standard for decision making.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Selfish
Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Selfish
(video game characters) Relying on their own actions and capabilities to be effective in the game, rather than on other characters.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Selfish
Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others.
They judge of things according to their own private appetites and selfish passions.
In that throng of selfish hearts untrue.
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Selfish
Believing or teaching that the chief motives of human action are derived from love of self.
Hobbes and the selfish school of philosophers.
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Selfish
Concerned chiefly or only with yourself;
Selfish men were...trying to make capital for themselves out of the sacred cause of civil rights
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
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
Common Curiosities
Can pride ever be considered a negative trait?
Yes, when it leads to arrogance or hubris, diminishing the value of others’ contributions.
What role does society play in shaping perceptions of pride and selfishness?
Society influences these perceptions through cultural values, norms, and the consequences it imposes for selfish or arrogant behavior.
How can someone balance pride and humility?
By recognizing and celebrating one's accomplishments while remaining aware of and grateful for the contributions of others.
How can one overcome selfish tendencies?
By actively practicing empathy, considering the impact of one’s actions on others, and prioritizing the well-being of the community.
How do pride and selfishness differ in terms of their impact on leadership?
Pride can make leaders inspirational and motivate others, while selfishness can make them ineffective, as it erodes trust and cooperation.
How can selfishness affect personal relationships?
It can strain or break relationships due to a lack of empathy and consideration for others.
Is it possible to be proud without being selfish?
Absolutely. Being proud of one's achievements doesn't inherently mean neglecting others' needs or interests.
What motivates selfish behavior?
Often, it’s motivated by a desire for personal gain, fear of scarcity, or a lack of empathy.
Can excessive pride harm one’s career?
Yes, as it may lead to overconfidence, underestimating challenges, and poor teamwork, ultimately hindering professional advancement.
Can selfish actions ever have positive outcomes?
While selfish actions may occasionally lead to short-term personal gains, they often result in long-term negative consequences for relationships and personal growth.
What is the difference between self-care and selfishness?
Self-care is taking care of one's health and well-being in a balanced manner, whereas selfishness disregards the needs and well-being of others.
How can one distinguish between healthy pride and arrogance?
Healthy pride is rooted in genuine achievements and is accompanied by gratitude and humility, whereas arrogance stems from an inflated self-image and disregards others.
Why is pride important for personal development?
It fosters self-esteem, motivation, and a sense of responsibility for one's actions and their outcomes.
How is communal pride beneficial to society?
It strengthens social bonds, fosters a sense of belonging, and motivates collective achievements.
What psychological factors contribute to selfishness?
Factors include insecurity, an inflated sense of self-importance, or a lack of emotional intelligence.
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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
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.
