If I'd got my hand on one of those peacocks, I would have pulled out a fistful of feathers

just to teach a lesson.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dubner.

And you're listening to No Stupid Questions.

Today on the show, what type of pride is good for you and what type is bad?

I was imagining like salty and sweet pride.

That's popcorn.

So Angie, today we are discussing the seventh of the seven deadly sins.

Do you remember which one we haven't discussed yet?

By process of elimination, pride, Stephen.

Very good.

I'm proud of myself for remembering that.

I am proud of you too for remembering.

So my question for you, Angie, is this why is pride in the modern reckoning even considered

a sin?

I could see that in ancient times, the Catholic Church, which was the keeper of the deadly

sins, didn't want anyone, maybe outside of a king or queen, to think that they were

better than anyone else, less they start thinking that maybe God wasn't so important or

powerful.

And I know that the seven deadly sins were especially directed at the clergy.

Is that right?

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