Who do you prefer - a proud or a self - respecting person ?
By K.Rajib G.
@krajibg (11922)
Guwahati, India
February 18, 2009 8:57am CST
Hello all! For quite some time I was thinking on "Pride" and "Self Respect" and the more I thought about these two coinage the more I was in the puzzle. And after a long thought on this I have come to my own conclusion.
The difference between Pride and Self respect is not in kind but in degree. While 'proud' sounds more boastful and conceited, 'self respect' does the nicety of the person under discussion. Self respect can be thus referred to as the refined form of ego or pride.
I have taken up this topic to have more views of more people so that we can see the real aspect of self respect and an ego or pride. For many times I have noticed an egoist explaining him/herself as self respecting person. Is then self respect different from one's ego or pride? A bit confusing though.
Well lets have a look into this too.
15 responses
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
25 Feb 09
The dividing line would rather become thin;however, I felt that a proud person would sometimes be boastful or even he is not verbally so, his face or body language may say it allThat isone aspect.Self-respect seems to have more positive connotations to it but one diffeence that came to my mindwas that a person who is self respecting would hate to ask anyone else for any favour , and would honour his word.A proud person can still be arrogant and stand erect while not honoring his word.Principles may go for a beating.Normally , self respecting people would be more principled, neither exploit nor be exploited.
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
26 Feb 09
Probably I have not conveyed it properly.I feel that self respect is more positive though the line is ambiguous.A proud person can be exploitative , but a self respecting person would not do this.Let me put it this way-a proud person can let go of his self respect and still demand favours from others,[silently or in an implied manner or can take it for granted that the whole world is bound to do it for him] but a self respecting person would not do it.
He respects himself and would legitimately expect the same respect from others .There are less likely chances that he would offend others by his abrasive manner but the proud person can easily put others off.THese are accompanying qualities that happen to come along.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
That is!!! In such situation the self respecting person is none better than a proud and conceited person? No doubt that it sounds positive but there is hardly any difference between a self respecting and proud fellow. You judged it so nicely.
thanks Kalav.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Feb 09
There is a fine line between the two..there are many people that are proud and softspoken about it. I like a person who has both traits with a little humility added. I think that being proud can be good within reason and respectful expression. I also feel that self respect is trait we must have although alot don't.It is the way we view ourselves and chose our moral standings.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi Jen! you have said it. Since there is a flimsy difference it is better to have people with both or else it the same thing to be proud or not proud.
Thanks a lot for responding.
@balki07prithvi (402)
• India
19 Feb 09
i prefer a self-respecting person...because if you have a self respect then only you can expect some respect for you from others..and if you are a self -respecting person you can be proud of that..
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
26 Feb 09
kraigbg --You have written 'I do not understand why we need to have self respect. Wo'
nt it do the same task if I respect others? '--this is not enough.Forgive me if I am being forceful in this aspect , but life has taught me lessons and I am writing this-I have always read that the world respects one as much as he respects himself. This does not mean that a person has exalted views about himself or has the right to despise others but when you respect yourself, you yourself would have to work to maintain that inner respect that your conscience would allow and would definitely improve your skills.THis would add to your self confidence and make you more confident .THis world is a tough world and you have to respect yourself to command the respect of others.
nt it do the same task if I respect others? '--this is not enough.Forgive me if I am being forceful in this aspect , but life has taught me lessons and I am writing this-I have always read that the world respects one as much as he respects himself. This does not mean that a person has exalted views about himself or has the right to despise others but when you respect yourself, you yourself would have to work to maintain that inner respect that your conscience would allow and would definitely improve your skills.THis would add to your self confidence and make you more confident .THis world is a tough world and you have to respect yourself to command the respect of others.@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Yes many people like one who holds his own dignity and in the process develop his/her self respect. But still he is not free from the pride aspect. I do not understand why we need to have self respect. Wount it do the same task if I respect others?
thanks for responding.
@Frederick42 (2024)
• Canada
19 Feb 09
All those who are self-respecting have pride in them, but all those who have only pride cannot have self-respect.
A proud person shows off, he wants others to listen to his achievements, to all that he has done in his life. But a self-respecting person is least bothered whether others will listen to his rant or appreciate him. He knows what he is and respects himself for what he is.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi Bhaskar! you have put the right thing I guess. All those pooh pooh about their self respect are the pride ridden fellows. If I am ok for myself, the family and the nation why I need self respect. By referring to if they indirectly announce their own pride which is a negative application. what say?
Thanks lot dor your response.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi there! you said the right thing I guess. those who trumpet as self respecting lot have more pride in them than others.
thanks lot for responding.
@wyethlovesyou (349)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
Hello there krajibg, Good day to you. I prefer a self-respecting person. Like what you have said the term "proud" is like boastful but it can have the positive characteristic of being a confident person.
But you know before being a proud person you have to gain respect from other people to show that you really have the rights to be confident. For me, It is a tough job to earn the trust and respect of other people, but if you know that you are causing no harm and you are doing a clean job then I assure that people will easily trust you.
[b]
So it means that you should gain respect before being proud of yourself.[/b]
[b]
So it means that you should gain respect before being proud of yourself.[/b] 1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi! yes the word pride or proud can be interpreted differently in different contexts. But if it has to come to one's nature it is always negative and this negativity is covered with the sugar coat of ;self respect.
Thanks for responding and sorry for the delay.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
19 Feb 09
I always thought having "pride" and "self respect" were pretty much the same thing. I don't think having pride is a bad thing; I think everyone should be proud of their accomplishments in life. *shrugs*. I guess "self respect" just SOUNDS better, though, I do have to agree.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi maezee1 its really difficult to split these two to understand what self respect is and what pride is. But I feel pride is rather negative application and the latter one is good to accept.
thanks for the response and sorry for the delay.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Feb 09
This is a mind boggling question and is not easy to come to really differentiate one from the other. It is very much a character of a boastful person. Maintaining self respect means to think, speak and act according to our original values of peace, love and happiness.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
18 Feb 09
Well, pride has different degrees, too. There is pride in one's name which ties into self-respect. In this case you respect yourself and are proud that you've kept your family name honorable. In this case, pride is a good thing. Then there is pride in being better than everyone else and that is a negative thing. So I think I'd rather know someone with self-respect than pride since pride can be very negative but self-respect is always positive.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
23 Feb 09
You are welcomed. But if you look deep into this would find that the latter is the modifies form of the former. No difference.
Thanks and sorry for my delayed comment.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
19 Feb 09
i have to say self respect. there is nothing wrong with pride as long as it is kept under control. it is fine to be proud of oneself and their accomplishments but an overblown ego is a real turn off no matter what. self respect is a great thing because it motivates us to make better choices for ourselves and it keeps us within moral confines i think.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
What if self respect out does the person and evolves into a full blown pride? There is possibility for these two are not two different entity.
thank a kot for the response
.
.
@zhuuraan (961)
• United States
18 Feb 09
I prefer self respecting.
Now, for my definition of the difference.
They do have many similarities. However, a person can be too proud, which can cause them to be cocky or snooty. They tend to become self centered and self absorbed and push others away. Either that, or they act like others should be worshipping them.
However, a self respecting person also would know when enough is enough. They would be proud of their accomplishments, but they wouldn't let it go to their heads. They certainly are not self centered and wouldn't try and make others feel uncomfortable with their ego.
I believe people that are too proud turn into egotistical maniacs, whereas a true self respecting person would never reach this level.
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Yes I do admit that there is a little difference between the two. If pride is accepted as a negative thing self respect as a positive traits. But at the end of the gay you see both are sitting together.
Thanks a lot for responding.
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Feb 09
very difficult to answer but dont bite me if i am wrong
.PRIDE sometimes pride is not only conceited or boastful maybe if you have somethng that you are proud of her/himself i gues thats it.but if yuo have nothing to show,just for telling wors i gues thats what we call boastful or conceited.thes self respect ,i understand something like this,i am a talker but i have a respect to myself or lets say i have limmit for it.
.PRIDE sometimes pride is not only conceited or boastful maybe if you have somethng that you are proud of her/himself i gues thats it.but if yuo have nothing to show,just for telling wors i gues thats what we call boastful or conceited.thes self respect ,i understand something like this,i am a talker but i have a respect to myself or lets say i have limmit for it.@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Well, just reflect where would you put those with pride and those with self respect? are not the self respecting person too are proud of themselves that they are some one to be reckoned with. Is not it a flicker of pride and a negative aspect? Why do we need to have self respect? would not respecting others equate to respecting myself? I do not think one needs to pooh pooh about their self respect.
I understand your point. Pride has broader denotation. Ifit is not tagged with self respect it is ok.
thanks lot for responding.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
19 Feb 09
I think that a person can be proud of their accomplishments in life, and not have any self-respect. I also think that a person can have self-respect and not be prooud of themselves. To me, it is a better qualityu to have self-respect than to be proud. A person who has self-respect feels good about themself, but isn't afraid to ask fo rhelp if they need it. A person who is proud is often to proud to ask for help when they need it, and as a result often ends up doing themselves more harm thn good.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi! its a delayed comment. I want to know how would you separate self respect from pride. It is not so easy. I feel self respect is within the Pride aspect.
thanks for responding.
@vishwaskg (514)
• India
18 Feb 09
Hi there ...
[i]They are two seperate coins... Proud too me is Ego at its highest ,whereas Self Respecting is more to do with good human values.
But too much of self respecting can lead to Pride/proud..which is like too much of confidence leads to overconfidence which is self defeating
[/i]
Cheers
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Hi there! I do not think they are two different coins but a single coin where there are several layers there and one of that is called self respect.
Thanks for responding.
@LoveForJKsharer (14)
• China
19 Feb 09
Proud and self-respect are not conflicting at all,i think.Both of them are normal and necessary
characters,what is not suitable for us is that we pass too much and go to extrems.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
No, even I do not think they are conflicting bur self respect is always within the shadow of pride.
Thanks a lot foryour response.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
19 Feb 09
As you say it is a matter of degree. There is a fine line between a person who has healthy self respect and a certain amount of pride in his or her self and one who is egotistic and arrogant and allows too much pride to get in the way in relationships; I would go as far as to say that people that are the latter are in fact quite insecure and have a need to deal with life in an arrogant manner.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
25 Feb 09
Yes, when pride does not lead to make one arrogant giant, a boasting monster it is ok. Still ok is self respect for one who sees his/her self respect is a cultured person.
Am I correct?
