What is pride?

Many are perfectly capable of explaining what pride is, but not everyone can admit that they are struck by this one of the eight deadly sins . A man with an overestimated self-esteem and belief in his own exclusivity considers himself ideal, most-most, which means that those who see his shortcomings are simply mistaken, because he does not have them.

Manifestation of pride

How does this quality of personality manifest itself? A man accuses anyone of anything, not himself. He constantly criticizes someone, offends someone. At work they do not appreciate, they do not respect the house, and after all it is so good and generally the best. The most terrible thing is that an inadequate evaluation of oneself leads to fatal consequences, which can no longer be changed. Why is the sin of pride in Orthodoxy considered to be one of the most terrible? Because it grows like a cancerous tumor, disguising itself under other symptoms and guises and more and more poisons a person's life, leading not to death, as in the case of cancer, but to the degradation of a person , complete solitude and renunciation of God.

After all, in order to believe in Him, to understand that everything that happens in life is done by the will of God, and not by one's own will, it is necessary to recognize the presence of pride in oneself, and a person blinded by this sin is simply not capable of it.

Signs of pride:

• self-pity, excessive resentment;
• indulgence in relation to others;
• self-admiration and bragging;
• pride is manifested in humiliating others and diminishing their merits;
• condemnation and criticism of other people, but a complete lack of self-criticism;
• lies, sarcasm, thoughts of one's own superiority.

This is not a complete list of the manifestation of this quality of personality, pride also gives rise to vanity, which can go into megalomania. Of course, it is difficult to communicate with such a person and gradually he remains alone. His personal growth and development almost completely stop, because why should he strive for something, if he is so perfect and the best.

If you want to know how you can get rid of pride and arrogance, then first of all it's worth to repent and try to pacify this insatiable beast. Cultivate humility in yourself, adequately respond to criticism and listen to the words of others, respect someone else's opinion, appreciate what you have and do not take offense at other people, allowing them to be themselves. Help others and look for an excuse to be grateful. Give people smiles and warmth, and they will respond in kind.