Hubris

[CHOMAT]

I have always been puzzled by the English word PRIDE which bears two different meanings. A tricky word for translations. Do you know other words such as PRIDE ?

[MrPedantic]

Hello Chomat,

I hadn't previously considered that aspect of "pride" – which two meanings did you have in mind?

All the best,

MrP

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

I have always been puzzled by the English word PRIDE which bears two different meanings. A tricky word for translations. Do you know other words such as PRIDE ?

Can be positive or negative:
1. positive:
French amour propre, dignity, honour

2. Negative:
French hauteur, self-importance, conceitedness, haughtiness, pretentiousness, , big-headedness, vanity, arrogance

[CHOMAT]

courage/spirit/honor / vs excessive self-esteem. Two distinct words in French : Orgueil et fierté.

[MrPedantic]

I wonder myself whether there are two different meanings. Can we detect a difference if we don't have any indication of the speaker's attitude?

1. He is a very proud man.

Cf.

2. He is a very proud man. And rightly so.
3. He is a very proud man. And pride goes before a fall, as they say.

That suggests to me that the difference is imported from the context.

MrP

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

MrPedantic what about:
He boasted about his beautiful house. (negative)
The city boasts the most beautiful houses (positive)

[MrPedantic]

Hello Dr. J.,

There seems to be a structural difference in that instance:

1. To boast (intrans.) – negative
2. To boast about/of (phrasal trans.) – negative
3. To boast (trans.) – positive

With "pride", on the other hand, I see a contextual rather than a structural difference.

Not that I've considered this in any particular depth; so I'd be interested in alternative views.

MrP

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

You are right about the difference MrPedantic. I personally don't like all sorts of pride whether positive or negative.

[queenbu]

You are right about the difference MrPedantic. I personally don't like all sorts of pride whether positive or negative.

Why not, Jamshid???
I'm proud to be Maltese.
I'm proud to be me!!!

It shows a certain peace of mind.

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

First of all I must say I really missed you Queen. It is great to have you back.
To me there is nothing special about being part of a nationality. It is only by chance you are Maltese. You could have been any other nationality. To my mind your piece of mind is not from nationality. It is your own. Being proud makes us think we are special but I believe nobody is special. This is of course only my personal view.