concept
Greek
also: Philosophy & Psychology
Hubris
/หhjuหbrษชs/
lit. โinsolence, overweening prideโ
Self-confidence so excessive it invites destruction.
Origin
In Greek tragedy, hubris is the protagonist's defining flaw โ the pride that makes them defy gods, fate, or limits, and brings about their fall. It's the engine of nearly every tragedy from Oedipus to Macbeth.
Modern usage
Used in criticism, business, and political writing to mean dangerous overconfidence โ usually right before a downfall.
In the wild
The hubris of the founders was assuming regulators wouldn't catch up.โ tech journalism clichรฉ
Tags
tragedy
pride
downfall