This study employed Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct resilience profiles of school principals and examined how these profiles are associated with their flourishing and burnout. The research illuminated four distinct resilience profiles, each associated with varying levels of flourishing and burnout. Participants included 1274 principals from China. The findings suggested significant effects of principal resilience on both flourishing and burnout. The study also revealed a potential paradox, indicating that high levels of resilience may paradoxically increase the risk of burnout. The results of the research emphasize the importance of balance in resilience. Additionally, the findings highlight significant implications for educational policy and practice, underscoring the need to cultivate and support resilience among principals and to guide the development of targeted interventions.