PRIDE, NOT TOTALLY A BAD THING
“The Samurai betrays no weakness, even when starving. Pride above all.” That is one of the Japanese renown words of wisdom. I have read this in a book, a biography entitled Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki. After reading it, I was somehow knocked off guard. Pride is not a totally negative thing.
In the light of this, it also proved that morality varies. Apparently, it really depends upon the culture and situations. So, same goes with pride. We Filipinos, especially Catholics, always have these beliefs that pride is a bad thing, one of the crucial factors that leads one’s soul to perish. But then again, how about these Japanese people who have this different perception regarding pride? It would be unjust to say they were believing on a wrong perception. This is diversity of culture. People have the freedom to believe into what they think is right. Some may think this is defense mechanism, but I tell you it’s not. Pride is bad for some, but some upholds dignity and pride so much and there is nothing wrong about it. If it is pride that makes them a better, stronger, and wiser individual, why not let these people cling to it? We are in no position to condemn or even judge them.
And one more thing, I believe in the inherent goodness of everything. There are countless speculations against pride, but I am sure it cannot be just too bad. Pride has its own reason for its existence. Many people were just blinded, culture-bound, enclosing their outlooks in a box. Pride is directly proportional to dignity, to self-worth, to self-respect. Why can’t we just breach the protocol on pondering about the possibility of its disguised goodness. It may not be bad after all.
