There are three different kinds of pride, as I see it. Which one is possessed or displayed by an individual can give great insight to the person's character.
There is
Arrogance-Pride, which is the negative connotation. This is the kind of pride associated with hard-heartedness and stubbornness. If you are
lifted up in the pride of your heart, you are unwilling to accept other points of view or to negotiate on any point. This is, seemingly, what is seen frequently in Boromir, Denethor, and Saruman. They are
always right and good, and anyone who even hints that they think otherwise are seen as insurgents. I think this is more of a trait of Saruman (and possibly Morgoth) than the men of Gondor.
Confidence-Pride is what is frequently associated with Aragorn. This kind of pride is more of a personal support; if you have confidence in your own abilities it could be interpreted as pride. But, unless you are absolutely unwilling to compromise your position or plans, this is a more positive sort of pride.
Pleased-Pride is pride in an accomplishment. Consider the variation on "I'm proud of him/her/you" that is used frequently in religious fora:
Quote:
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"...in whom I am well pleased..."
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For examples of the above, I would give both Saruman and Feanor for Arrogance-Pride, for obvious reasons. In their refusal to compromise their own (flawed) ideals, they caused the pain and death of thousands, all for the protection of their own egos. When pride is taken to this extent, in whatever form, it must be seen as a negative trait.
I think that both Aragorn and Boromir fall under Confidence-Pride. Boromir is often seen as an arrogant individual, which I don't believe he is. He is proud, assuredly, but not to the point of being unbending. He does follow Aragorn, and ultimately recognizes Aragorn's right to the throne of Gondor. Had he been as arrogant as people claim he is, he would have refused to follow Aragorn at all; he would have set himself up as the leader of the Fellowship after Gandalf's fall, and the Quest would have gone painfully awry.
Abedithon le,
~ Saphy ~