Obama v Iqbal on the understanding of "˜pride'

The US Democratic presidential candidate left a note, as many worshippers do, in a crack in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which stated "Lord - Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."

Talking about pride, the great spiritualist and philosopher-Iqbal- said, "˜Khudi Ko Kar Buland Itna Ke Har Tadbeer Se Pehley, Kuda Bandey Sey Khud Phuchey Bata Teri Raza Kia Hai. (You should heighten your pride to such a level where God Himself asks you about your willingness before you make your intention known.)

Most probably, Obama meant "˜ego' (Anna) when he used the word "˜pride' (Khudi) in his prayer. It would be politically and philosophically correct for him to make a distinction between the two. The latter will push him up towards political persona in splendor; the former will pull him down towards philosophical persona in paucity