Pride--and Popularity--and Principle

One of the timeless questions – one that is seemingly never settled – is: “What makes people do what they do?” Human nature, we sometimes simply say – but human nature is no simple thing to consider, with all the complexities and problems, and motives of men. But no matter what other motives there may be, certainly pride is frequently a factor. All of us like to be well thought of; all of us are somewhat influenced by other people’s opinions. People like to be approved. People like the good opinion of other people. We see it from the earliest years of youth, as youngsters are sensitive to the opinions of playmates. And one of the most important decisions of life is deciding by whom we want to be approved – and what price we would be willing to pay for approval. Will a boy do anything a crowd dares him to do, just for the sake of pride or approval? Will a girl relax her standards, for the sake of supposed popularity or approval? Will a man suppress a truth he has found for the sake of popular or professional approval? The disapproval of the crowd, the disapproval of fashion, the disapproval of popular opinion isn’t ever easy to face – but it is easier than the kind of conscience that comes with trading principle for pride. Repentance itself is a hard principle for a proud person because repentance means admitting a mistake. Sometimes a person who has committed himself to a wrong position would willingly repent, except for pride, except for appearances. One unfortunate part of a false pride or a false position is the effect it has on others also: For all of us (whether we want it so or not) have more influence on other that we sometimes suppose. Our respect or disrespect, what other feel from us, affects our families, our friends, and all who publicly or privately observe the living of our lives. And to the young especially – and also even to the old – we would say: Never compromise principle or personal standards for a supposed popularity or approval, or for the supposed good opinion of any person or crowd or clique – for the kind of pride that is brought with principle comes at too high a price.