Hubris

Hubris Exaggerated pride or self confidence.[1].This word has its origins from the Greek word hybris. In modern times the word hubris is often used in a negative sense but that has not always been the case.In ancient Greece, especially during the classical period, hubris was an indictment against the accused person and was by definition a violent criminal act against another person with the purpose of shaming them..

Greek tragedy is replete with examples of moral lessons to be learned from hubris. It must be understood however that the term hybris of the ancient Greek classical period did not have the same usage and application as our modern term hubris. Rainer Friedrich in his article The Hybris Of Odysseus, provides a narrative of hybris in the ancient Greek sense, using the tragic hero Odysseus as the model. Rainer insists that the "epic character" Odysseus exhibits hubris against Zeus when he suspects the God disapproves of his sacrifice.

Hubris in more Modern Times

In more modern times one of the most often cited examples of hubris and its unforgiving consequences has been Napoleon, and his ill fated attempted Russian conquest of 1812 in which he not only suffered a humiliating defeat, but lost his empire and entire army as well. In his work Napoleon's Tragic March From Moscow: Lessons In Hubris, Mark J. Kroll draws on the example of Napoleon and correlates his Imperial hubris with business executives that make unwise, risky, decisions fueled by hubris which eventually lead to their own corporate demise along with the company..