Pride Before and After a Fall

Some of us are quite familiar with the somber advice found in Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” We usually shorten this to “Pride cometh (or goeth) before a fall.” And have we seen that biblical wisdom play out in spades during the last year or so!

According to the New York Times, pride may also come — or be needed — after a fall. Until recently, psychology minimized pride as a fundamental emotion, paying much more attention to fear, disgust, sadness or joy. Now, in these crushing economic times, it turns out that pride may be a good thing — something even worth faking.

In other words, when one has lost a job, she pretends to still have it — as a matter of pride. She continues her daily routine and goes to work at the office, which is really now a Starbucks across town. If this kind of play-acting sustains good habits and reflects personal pride, it can help one navigate uncertain times. This kind of pride may not equate to the pride flowing from real accomplishments, but it can make a person feel better about himself, instead of wanting to crawl into a hole.

Psychologists note, however, that this kind of pride is only good for the short-term. At some point, one has to come clean. But projecting pride for a while not only helps manage others’ impressions, it makes one feel better about himself. “Smile and you may feel fleetingly happier.” Perhaps most importantly, pride begets perseverance, and when a fall is caused by losing your job, perseverance is essential to picking yourself up to get another one.