Joe Schurer

Mr. Clark

Honors English 12

2/21/18

Seven Deadly Sins Assignment

I. The Parson on Pride

After discussing the differences between venial and deadly sins, the first deadly sin the

Parson discusses is Pride. The Parson begins to discuss the various forms of pride, “Pride

is shown in its many forms: arrogance, impudence, boasting, hypocrisy, joy in having

done harm, etc” (Chaucer 487). Essentially these forms are different ways that we can

commit the sin of pride. While these acts may seem different from each other, each fall

under the umbrella of Pride. The Parson moves onto making a distinction between

inwards and outwards pride, “Outward pride is like a tavern sign that shows that there is

wine in the cellar” (Chaucer 487). This outward pride can be shown in many different

ways. The Parson provides a few examples such as having too many or too few clothes.

The Parson also describes how sinful pride can come from our outward social behavior or

by showing hospitality with the goal of receiving attention.

II. Pride‘s Presence in Today’s World

Pride surrounds us today just as much as any time in history. Just as in the time of the

Parson, we see it in people who express an abundance of pride by overdressing to attract

attention to their wealth or by underdressing to seem more impoverished than they really

are. However, in today's world we also see examples in people who try to flaunt and
 show off new cars or devices that they have. However, I think it is worth noting that pride

is not always necessarily a bad thing or sinful. It is common and natural for us to feel a

sense of pride when we finish or accomplish a difficult task. If you have pride in yourself

and this leads you to work harder or to do better work than there is nothing necessarily

wrong with this. However, pride can be sinful when it is motivated by a feeling of being

in any way superior or above others. As an example there is nothing wrong with being

proud of your nation and its history; however, if that leads you to feel that your nation or

its people are better than that of another nation than that becomes sinful. Although the

ways we express pride or the things we are proud of may have changed, the human factor

of the sin means that it is just as recognizable 500 years after the writing of The

Canterbury Tales.

III. Combating Pride

After describing the sin of pride, the Parson explains how to combat pride, “The remedy

for Pride is humility or true self-knowledge” (Chaucer 487). The first part of this

solution, humility, seems quite simple. This humility means having an appropriate

understanding of our importance and not regarding ourselves too highly. Simply stated

this means being modest. The next aspect of the solution to pride the Parson describes is

true self-knowledge. True self-knowledge is just as important in combating pride;

however, it is difficult to truly achieve. It requires an understanding of ourselves

including all are faults and strengths. Through self-knowledge we should naturally

develop a sense of humility and an appreciation for those around us.