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Along Life’s Way
Is Being Proud OK?
By Lois E. Wilson
On the inside of a Dove chocolate wrapper was the quote, “Don’t stop until you’re proud.”
Reviewing what the Bible states about “being proud” and “showing
pride,” they can be negative attributes. Proverbs 16:18 (TNIV) “Pride
goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Throughout history, others have commented in a like manner about these qualities. Some have offered cautions toward them:
“There is a paradox in pride—it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so” (Charles Caleb Colton)
“A proud man is satisfied with his own good opinion, and does not seek to make converts to it.” (William Hazlitt)
“It’s a fine thing to rise above pride, but you must have pride in order to do so.” (Georges Bernanos)
“Don’t stop until you’re proud” seems to be good advice to consider
when doing activities such as sports and creative projects. The
challenge is to use it to better ourselves--to build skills,
self-confidence, and self-worth.
We all at times need to hire special workers to do chores around the
house. Would you employ someone without references? Would you risk
having to pay them for shoddy or substandard work? You would want to
know the quality of their abilities. Do they take pride in their work?
Think about your own life and beliefs. Do you always try to dress
appropriately for the occasion you are attending? What would you wear
to a Bengals’ game versus a job interview? Do you consider what to wear
to church versus the grocery?
It could follow that if we never feel pride in life or proud for what
we have done, we are missing out on the satisfaction that comes from
succeeding. Galatians 6:4-5 states: “Each of you should test your own
actions. Then you can take pride in yourself, without comparing
yourself to somebody else, for each of you should carry your own load.”
(TNIV)
Bertrand Russell observed: “I do not believe that any peacock envies
another peacock his tail, because every peacock is persuaded that his
own tail is the finest in the world. The consequence of this is that
peacocks are peaceable birds.”
You don’t have to strut around and advertise your accomplishments—keep
working until you are proud. By your deeds you will be known, and by
them you’ll develop your inner peace and pride.
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