Pride is often considered one of the seven deadly sins in many religious and moral frameworks, but the concept of “pride” can be a bit more nuanced when it comes to being proud of someone else. Is it wrong to feel a sense of pride or admiration for a loved one or to celebrate their accomplishments? In this article, we’ll explore how different religious traditions and philosophies address this idea, helping you understand whether being proud of someone is truly a sin or something to embrace.
What Is the Difference Between Pride and Being Proud?
Before diving into the question, it’s important to define the key terms:
- Pride (as a sin): In most religious contexts, pride refers to an excessive sense of self-importance or arrogance, often leading to a belief that one is superior to others. It can manifest as vanity, hubris, or an inflated ego that pushes someone to put their own desires and needs above others or even above God. This type of pride is generally seen as a sin because it encourages selfishness and disregards humility.
- Being Proud of Someone (in a positive sense): On the other hand, when you say you’re proud of someone, it typically means you recognize and celebrate their achievements, growth, or positive qualities. This kind of pride is rooted in admiration and appreciation, rather than arrogance. It’s about feeling joy or satisfaction from another person’s success or good qualities, rather than your own.
The Bible’s View on Pride and Humility
The Bible’s Teaching on Pride
Pride in the Bible is almost always seen in a negative light, particularly when it comes to self-centeredness or arrogance. Several scriptures emphasize the dangers of pride, especially when it leads to a lack of humility.
- Proverbs 16:18:
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This well-known verse suggests that excessive pride often leads to ruin. The Bible warns against an inflated sense of self that puts oneself above others and even God. When pride blinds us to our own flaws or makes us feel entitled, it can cause us to stumble. - James 4:6:
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
In this passage, pride is shown as a hindrance to receiving God’s grace. The message is clear: humility is the way to align oneself with God’s will, while pride creates a barrier between the individual and divine grace. - Proverbs 11:2:
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This verse contrasts pride and humility, illustrating that pride often leads to shame, while humility leads to wisdom.
What About Being Proud of Someone Else?
The Bible does not explicitly condemn being proud of others. Instead, it encourages love, support, and encouragement within the community. Being proud of someone in a healthy, non-arrogant way—such as admiring a child’s achievements or celebrating a friend’s growth—can be seen as a positive form of encouragement.
- Romans 12:15:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This verse emphasizes empathy and celebrating others’ joys. When you feel pride in someone else’s accomplishments, it’s essentially an expression of your shared joy and recognition of their hard work or personal growth.
Key Takeaways from the Bible:
- Sinful pride is self-centered, arrogant, and often leads to destruction.
- Being proud of someone else—in a way that is rooted in genuine admiration, encouragement, and love—is not condemned in the Bible and can be a way of building up others.
The Catholic Church’s View on Pride
The Catholic Church teaches that pride is a vice and one of the root causes of other sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines pride as the “first of the seven capital sins” because it tends to lead to other sinful behaviors, like disobedience, jealousy, or anger.
However, the Church does make a distinction between sinful pride and a more virtuous expression of admiration:
- Sinful Pride (Hubris): The Church condemns pride when it becomes an inflated sense of one’s importance, especially to the point of ignoring or dismissing others. Pride is considered a sin because it can lead to spiritual destruction, as it places one’s own will and desires above God’s.
- Pride in Others: Being proud of someone, especially when it involves celebrating their virtues or good deeds, is not considered a sin. The Church encourages celebrating the accomplishments of others and rejoicing in their happiness, as long as it doesn’t lead to envy or idolatry.
Virtue of Humility
Catholic teaching places a strong emphasis on humility as the opposite of pride. Humility allows a person to recognize their dependence on God and others. However, this does not mean that a person cannot take joy in the accomplishments of others. In fact, humility encourages celebrating others’ successes, as it helps build community and reflect God’s goodness in others.
The Protestant Perspective on Pride
In Protestant Christianity, especially in more evangelical traditions, pride is viewed as a sin when it takes the form of self-righteousness or arrogance. However, like the Catholic view, feeling proud of others is typically not considered sinful. For example:
- Healthy pride: In many Protestant circles, being proud of someone else, such as acknowledging their hard work or moral growth, is viewed as a positive emotion that fosters encouragement and love.
- Self-centered pride: On the other hand, pride that leads to boasting, selfishness, or an inflated ego is strongly discouraged. This is often reflected in teachings about being humble and serving others.
Secular and Humanist Views on Pride
Outside religious contexts, pride is often seen as a positive trait, especially when it involves a sense of accomplishment or recognition of someone else’s achievements. In secular humanism or more individualistic cultures, feeling proud of someone—whether it’s a family member, friend, or colleague—is generally viewed as an expression of love, admiration, and support.
- Celebrating Success: Pride in others is typically seen as a healthy response to their personal growth, achievements, and contributions to society. It’s an expression of positive reinforcement and encouragement.
- Avoiding Envy or Excessive Attachment: While being proud of someone is generally seen as a good thing, it’s important to avoid excessive attachment or envy. Pride should not lead to the desire to “own” or control the other person’s success.
The Psychology of Pride and Its Role in Relationships
Psychologically, feeling proud of someone else can have positive effects on relationships. It strengthens bonds, fosters mutual respect, and encourages further personal growth. It is part of a healthy emotional dynamic where people recognize and affirm each other’s value and progress.
- Positive Reinforcement: Feeling proud of someone can serve as a form of positive reinforcement, encouraging them to continue their efforts and strive for even greater achievements. This builds confidence and supports the individual in their personal or professional journey.
- Empathy and Connection: Being able to feel joy or pride for another person’s accomplishments is a sign of emotional maturity and empathy. It allows you to connect with their journey and share in their success.
Conclusion: Is Being Proud of Someone a Sin?
The simple answer is no—being proud of someone is not a sin, as long as it is rooted in genuine admiration, love, and encouragement, without any underlying arrogance or selfish motives. Whether in religious or secular contexts, being proud of others’ accomplishments is generally viewed as a positive and uplifting expression of support.
However, it’s important to be mindful of the nature of pride. The Bible and many religious teachings warn against excessive pride, particularly when it turns into arrogance, self-centeredness, or vanity. Pride that elevates the self above others or leads to a sense of entitlement is considered sinful.
So, if you are proud of someone for their virtues, efforts, and achievements, this is a healthy and encouraging emotion, not a sin. It’s a reminder to celebrate the good in others and recognize their growth without falling into the trap of unhealthy pride.