June 1940 School Magazine

'· Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

June, 1940

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

June. 1940

in his being excluded from many pleasures on account of his unsociability, which is mistaken for haughty pride. Self-conceit is probably the worst form of pride, and can lead to much misery and regret. Agc!in taking Mr. Darcy as our example, consider his pride in forbearing to tell Catherine Bennett of his love for her, because of her inferiority in rank and fortune. How many anxieties and doubts must he have fe lt on this subject; and how regretful must he have been when after much deliberation he finally asked her to marry him, and was refused because his pride would not allow him to forbear from tell ing her all the reasons why he should not be asking for her hand. There is another form of self-superiority which results in condescension towards others-a most deplorable quality. The condescending are generally despised, except by those ob- sequious people who thrive on words of grudging commenda- tion from those whom they consider superior to themselves. An admirable example of this fawning type of character is Jane Austen's obsequious prelate, Mr. Collins, who figuratively hung on the lips of his condescending and overbearing patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and who became more and more in- flated w i'th seWimportance at every patronizing word she deigned to utter. False pride is a futile and deplorable quality which all would do well to discourage, for it can lead to many misunder- standings and much discomfort. It may be said to be lack of the courage of one's own convictions, and usually occurs when a person fears to do what he desires, or knows to be right, lest his idea may prove incompatible with another's idea of correct behaviour. Everybody, at sometime, has probably been proud of a personal achievement in some sphere, whatever it may be. It is only human nature to be proud of success, and to be grati- fied by any praise that is offered. The danger lies in over- estimating the glory of the achievement, or in becoming too boastful a nd self-conceited. When speaking of the success to others, modesty "is the best policy" for , far from detracting any glory from the achievement, this will rather add to it in the eyes of others. While self-conceit is odious, a little self-esteem is good. It is exhilarating to the mind and gives a feeling of confidence to the general outlook on life. As long as self esteem does not 19

PREFECTS, 1940. A. Leslie, L. Potter, M . Grieg, M. Clutterbuck, N. Pender, B. Lugg (Head Girl). C. Chenoweth.

PRIDE. "Where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation," says the self opinionated Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", and it is us- ually found that the possessor of a really superior and cultured mind seldom flaunts his superiority by exhibiting pride in its more vulgar sense, that is, in the form of conceit , self glorifica- tion, or vanity. Of course there are different forms of pride , some of which are beneficial and others which are detrimental to character. Many people who by nature are reserved, shy or taciturn, are often spoken of disparagingly as being "too proud to speak", when really their retiring natures are the cause of their being regarded with resentment by those who do not understand them. A little reservation is an admirable quality, but overdone it usually leads to an uncomfortable existence for its possessor

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