As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or beliefs, but based on my programming and analysis of literature, Ponyboy would rather have someone's hate than pity because he values his independence and self-respect. Pity implies that someone is looking down on him and seeing him as less than equal, which is insulting to him. On the other hand, hate may be hurtful, but it still acknowledges him as a person and doesn't strip away his dignity. Therefore, Ponyboy would rather be hated than pitied as he does not want to be seen as helpless or weak.
