Since it's better to show than tell, we need stories. This is why I own the collected works of both the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.
Of course, the worst sin of all is Pride/Hubris, because it is the basis of all the rest.
This is from the site Diamond and Toads.
"Ah, envy. Without that, where would the stories of "Snow White" and"The Goose Girl" be? True, envy isn't the sin behind the action in every fairy tale, but it shows up in many of them as a secondary source of action. In "Cinderella," the sisters envy Cinderella's goodness and beauty. Same scenario in "Beauty and the Beast."
"Envy, like most of the other sins, has its root in pride -- the deadliest sin. It doesn't have to involve an extreme desire for a big house or fancy wardrobe, as greed does. Envy is an over-the-top lust for anything another person has -- like musical ability or a child or the romantic love of another person. When we are wrapped up in prideful notions of competition and showing off, we get envious.
"Think about it. If the Sea Witch didn't envy The Little Mermaid her lovely voice, then the terrible sacrifice the mermaid makes might not have taken place. And obviously, if Snow White's stepmother wasn't envious of her, there would have been no schemes, no tricks, no attempted murder."
What is the line between bad pride and good pride?
ReplyDeleteIs it not good to have pride in something that you have accomplished? Whether a physical or mental feat, do you not experience that great feeling of accomplishment?
What point does pride go too far?
Yes a man can overreach and fall on himself through pride, but more often than not it seems to be the weak men who doesn't show any pride at all, any self-respect. What is the balance?
Hubris leads to Nemesis - same s pride goes before destruction. Arrogance. The Greeks also had a concept, Sophrosyne, which was a realistic appraisal of one's talents and competences. That's the difference between bad pride and good pride.
ReplyDelete