<p>The line separating self-respect and pride is indeed a thin one. Sometimes it becomes difficult to know when the limit of self-respect has been traversed and pride has begun.<br /><br /></p>.<p>To distinguish between the two it is necessary to know what constitutes self-respect and what constitutes pride.Self-respect is desirable quality and the possessor of it is prevented from lowly and shameful acts. We come across people who refuse to be dealt with but with dignity and respect and they refuse to be pushed around by others. <br /><br />This is because they have a good opinion about themselves. Also they do not consider themselves lesser in dignity to any one regardless of their position and status in life.<br /><br /> This attitude of the self respecting people sometimes misleads others into thinking that they are proud or conceited. For instance a grave and serious person who is not given to smiling is often considered proud because he does not smile. <br /><br /> From the Islamic stand point - Pride is to consider others inferior to one self and consequently consider one self superior to others. This attitude of a person manifests itself in his or her words and deeds sometimes blatantly and sometimes subtly. <br /><br />When such words and deeds spring from us that indicates our superiority complex others are able to gauge and label us as proud or conceited. <br /><br />Having said that it is necessary to add that gauging and judging people by their actions is never easy because many a times actions may spring from a sudden burst of anger or frustration and one may be completely wrong in judging a person. <br /><br />Pride therefore is condition of the heart. Pride and conceit judged by this yardstick can really be known only by the person himself who harbors this feeling of superiority of himself and inferiority of others.<br /><br /> The attitude of a proud person may be offensive but this attitude of his is really more harmful to himself than anybody else aspride and conceit are such traits which are detrimental for our spiritual growth. <br /><br />So it would be wise on our part to introspect and take stock of ourselves and see whether any feeling of pride is lying hidden somewhere deep in any corner of our hearts. <br /><br />And if so, it is incumbent upon us to get rid of it and cultivate the attitude of humilitywhich is a prerequisite for any spiritual growth.</p>
<p>The line separating self-respect and pride is indeed a thin one. Sometimes it becomes difficult to know when the limit of self-respect has been traversed and pride has begun.<br /><br /></p>.<p>To distinguish between the two it is necessary to know what constitutes self-respect and what constitutes pride.Self-respect is desirable quality and the possessor of it is prevented from lowly and shameful acts. We come across people who refuse to be dealt with but with dignity and respect and they refuse to be pushed around by others. <br /><br />This is because they have a good opinion about themselves. Also they do not consider themselves lesser in dignity to any one regardless of their position and status in life.<br /><br /> This attitude of the self respecting people sometimes misleads others into thinking that they are proud or conceited. For instance a grave and serious person who is not given to smiling is often considered proud because he does not smile. <br /><br /> From the Islamic stand point - Pride is to consider others inferior to one self and consequently consider one self superior to others. This attitude of a person manifests itself in his or her words and deeds sometimes blatantly and sometimes subtly. <br /><br />When such words and deeds spring from us that indicates our superiority complex others are able to gauge and label us as proud or conceited. <br /><br />Having said that it is necessary to add that gauging and judging people by their actions is never easy because many a times actions may spring from a sudden burst of anger or frustration and one may be completely wrong in judging a person. <br /><br />Pride therefore is condition of the heart. Pride and conceit judged by this yardstick can really be known only by the person himself who harbors this feeling of superiority of himself and inferiority of others.<br /><br /> The attitude of a proud person may be offensive but this attitude of his is really more harmful to himself than anybody else aspride and conceit are such traits which are detrimental for our spiritual growth. <br /><br />So it would be wise on our part to introspect and take stock of ourselves and see whether any feeling of pride is lying hidden somewhere deep in any corner of our hearts. <br /><br />And if so, it is incumbent upon us to get rid of it and cultivate the attitude of humilitywhich is a prerequisite for any spiritual growth.</p>
