It is highly instructive to note how the above two have shaped human behaviour across time. For example having a profitable start-up is a matter of pride nowadays. But in earlier times, engaging in trade, though profitable, was a socially demeaning activity & its practitioners termed "upstarts". Their lack of culture & philistinism exposed them as "noveau-rich" behaving in a shameful way. However rich they may become, they were social pariahs.
That such an attitude was not wholly irrational is being reinforced by such people now throwing their weight around & asking "Do you know who I am?" whenever they think they have not got VIP treatment. This goes for most politicians also. So their "Pride" is actually really a matter of "Shame."
Another conundrum is many captains of industry like to pose as philanthropists, providing employment & hence livelihood to many. But do the employees share this view? On the contrary many feel they are exploited & made to work in glorified "sweatshops". So what is the truth? Are the employers prideful "compassionate captalists" as they would like to believe or shameless "savage slave drivers" as many employees feel?
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