This seems to be a rather unusual word for some, and i'm definitely no stranger to it. Before I..."attained" the knowledge I have now, I had a lot of pride in what I did. Made sure not to boast about it, but definitely believed in what I did. Ultimately, I think this is what led to my little spiraling descent with failure after failure.

Webster's defines pride as "a reasonable or justifiable self-respect," which causes me to ask, What is acceptable pride?

It seems to be the downfall of a lot of individuals, me included, where they believe they can do anything. All of it comes to that single point where the "old saying" talks about pride being the first to fall before the individual. However, you also hear about others saying you must have "Pride" in your work. That's just one thing I don't have within me since pride is the first thing to go when your work fails.

Getting beyond that, what do you think about pride and having pride in your work? Is there an acceptable level? Or is it something like all or nothing with this type of thing?

I definitely think there is an acceptable level. The key, it seems to me, is to not let pride become arrogance. Even if you do take pride in being good at something, you have to realize that there are ways you can improve, and there are people who have more knowledge than you that can help you. If you forget those two things, then you just end up being arrogant, and believing you are the best. It's ok to admit that you're good at what you do. Just don't go overboard and act like you're better than everyone else.

Edit: I honestly don't know if that even answered your question or not. I gave it shot, though.

My problem is that I'm too modest about my own skills, and my OCD makes me quit projects I think had lots of potential. I don't have much pride, but I am very passionate and I believe I have enough skill to accurately deliver what I want to deliver when it comes to music. As I said, I don't have any real pride in what I do, but it makes me happy, and I think that is a good way to go.

what's wrong with believing in yourself and taking pride in your achievements/accomplishments? So long as you don't let your pride inflate your ego but rather inflate your resolve to do better then pride can be a good thing.

I just celebrated my sons 2nd birthday and took pride in being the main reason he got to 2 yrs old

There is a huge difference in being proud and being arrogant. Being proud of your accomplishments and being too proud to admit doing or being wrong.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of yourself or of others.

Isn't Pride a little kid who eats people?

You sure I thought that was the guy with the diamond skin

Are we talking about pride or self esteem?

Seems these days western society has a habit of breeding people to have a lot of self esteem. That probably isn't a good idea because people with too much often are arrogant. Same with the issue of respect and stuff. If people with high self esteem don't see the world going the way they like it too things can kick off.

Avoid pride. Be humble instead and respect yourself.

I think that its good for people to be proud of their work and what they do.

However, i also see pride as a weakness as well. Too many people (myself included) let their pride get in their way. For example, someone is too proud to admit a mistake or admit they failed. Or like maybe a guy doesnt ask a girl he likes out because hes afraid of rejection and losing his pride.
Something like that is an example of letting your pride get in your way, stopping you from your goal because you're too proud.

Like everything, pride should be taken in moderation.

Ain't nothin wrong with pride as long as its good friends with humility.

I agree with this. I think you have to have a certain amount of pride in your work. If you don't believe in yourself, then I think it makes it difficult for others to believe in you as well, and this becomes a perpetuating cycle of low self-esteem. However there is such a thing as being over-confident and cocky. You've got to find the right balance.

Eh, bit of a mixed bag.

I have pride and I also don't have pride. It's all about what part of me I'm discussing. I have great pride in my socialistic nature but I don't have a lot of pride in my tendency to be a bit lazy. I have pride in my will to carve my own path, but I don't have a lot of pride in how disorganized I tend to be. I have pride in my ability to learn things quickly, but I don't have a lot of pride in the apathy I have to get to learning something new.

I can go on and on listing things I'm proud of and things I'm not proud of but in the end I'd have to say that I'm rather proud of myself. I don't always feel like I'm on the right track and honestly as it is that is how I feel now, but I know I'll pick myself up eventually like I always do (my life tends to come in huge ups and downs where everything is going right or everything is going wrong) and I'll be making more progress with my life than I lose during times where things aren't going so well.

Pride is good where it is deserved, but only blinding where it is not deserved. Oh, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3xwDDLuLcY&feature=plcp

ha true I suffer a bit of that "bad pride" where i'm too proud to ask for help with anything and will politely refuse help if offered, even if I need it...i'm not sure if it's really pride or being a self made man that relies only on self

Have pride, not hubris.

well yeah that was the kind of pride was referring to. You actually used a better example then i did, trying to explain it.

Like OP said, I think it can be difficult to work yourself up about something and be very confident that it will succeed only to have it fail. Indeed, being able to move on and learn from your failures is an important skill, and demonstrates as much strength as succeeding.

That is to say, even though your pride may be damaged, it takes strength to want to do better and earn it back.