The phrase "justifiable pride" means feeling proud in a reasonable and acceptable way, usually when you have accomplished something worthy or done something good. Full definition
Said the authors of that now infamous report on the quality of education in the United States, «We report to the American people that while we can take justifiable pride in what our schools and colleges have historically accomplished and contributed to the United States and the well - being of its people, the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people.» (educationworld.com)
I didn't know enough about restaurants, or fish, or butchering fish to know, without being told, just how good he is... but I can always tell when someone seems to be right where he or she wants to be, taking justifiable pride in knowing that they do what they do incredibly well. (inc.com)
The statistical measures of Jewish success which Ginsberg notes with justifiable pride have for some years fed the conspiratorial fantasies of the radical right. (religion-online.org)