The concept of pride has evolved, partially resulting from an understanding of and differentiation from conceit. The modern perspective of pride comes from a sense of self-respect, resulting from actual knowledge or real success. For instance, if you study and take a challenging calculus course and earn a high grade, the feeling of success is one of pride because it is based on an actual achievement, resulting from real work that you performed.
The idea of unfounded self-respect is the basis for the modern perception of conceit. This idea of conceit exists as a perception of your own value that exceeds your earned right to feel that high value. As an example, if you chose to take an easier math class with an easier professor and earn a high grade with very little actual study and work, you could not describe yourself as a superior math student without working from an attitude of conceit.
A proud individual feels no need to explain his proficiency beyond his previous accomplishments or ability to perform in the future. Pride becomes a sense of reliability and self-confidence, extending to a willingness to demonstrate that proficiency. For instance, the proud calculus student demonstrates his proficiency with his high grade and presents his pride in a willingness to sign up for an even more challenging course or get a job where his math skills are challenged, but he has the confidence that he can meet those challenges.
A conceited individual explains her proficiency descriptively, rather than demonstrating actual skill. When presented with a challenge to this conceit, she faces the challenge of using the actual skill with the presented challenge. The result is either a blow to her self-confidence or upset feelings toward the challenge itself. A conceited individual relies on the possibility that her actual skills will never be challenged, protecting her self-confidence. As an example, if the student who chose the easier math course is given a chance to prove her math proficiency, she risks losing her confidence and the confidence of others should she fail to live up to this conceit.