American Pride: Virtue or Vice?

One of the most difficult things for liberals to comprehend properly is the concept of American Pride-as-such.  Deep within the foundations of progressive ideology is a certain resentment of the Traditions of America going back to the Founding.
American Pride is something the Right Wing really LIVES.  We not only feel a deep love for the constitution and the founding father's theology and philosophy, but actually live in a state of Pride for our country, our servicemen, and our works.   This American Pride is, to me, a clear virtue.


But let us, for a moment, contrast that sentiment with the notion that Pride is a deadly sin.  Pope Gregory described it as "the deadliest sin".  After all, the Jesus Christ does say "Blessed are the meek". How do we reconcile the notion that pride is a sin with say, love of country and god - and pride in that love.

I think the answer is, we should feel both pride and shame, regarding patriotism.

But let's take it back in history a bit to ancient Greek civilization.  Aristotle described "Pride-as-such" as one of the key virtues, in fact, the most important virtue.  He had a concept of something he called "The great souled man", or something to that effect.  Pride was considered by the Greeks to be, generally, a positive trait in a person.  So the philosophy of Pride goes throughout history.

Even until today, when we have "Black Pride" and even "Gay Pride".  Are these examples of a kind of "deadly sin"?
I would certainly say so.

But "American Pride" as in "Pride of Country" far exceeds this kind of sin.
Further, pride in one's works and labors should fall under a kind of love of country and God.

So in conclusion,

The word Pride, in latin, translates as "Superbia"...

And when has is ever been bad to be Excellent?

DDU 2015