A-Z: Common sayings from the Bible: Pride comes before a fall

Usage

People who boast set themselves up for failure.

Definition

Proverbs is much concerned with practical wisdom and maintaining good relations with others. Here the wisdom of Solomon recommends humility by showing what happens when it is absent.

Bible References

Proverbs 11:2

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. ²When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. ³The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. ⁴Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. ⁵The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. ⁷When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. ⁸The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. ⁹With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. ¹⁰When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. ¹¹By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. ¹²Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. ¹³Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. ¹⁴Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. ¹⁵Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure. ¹⁶A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. ¹⁷A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. ¹⁸The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. ¹⁹Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. ²⁰Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight. ²¹Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. ²²Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. ²³The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath. ²⁴One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. ²⁵Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. ²⁶The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. ²⁷Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. ²⁸Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. ²⁹Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. ³¹If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

¹A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. ²When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. ³The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. ⁴Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. ⁵The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. ⁷When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. ⁸The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. ⁹An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. ¹⁰When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. ¹¹By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. ¹²He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. ¹³A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. ¹⁴Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ¹⁵He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. ¹⁶A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. ¹⁷The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. ¹⁸The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. ¹⁹As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. ²⁰They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. ²¹Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. ²²As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. ²³The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. ²⁴There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ²⁵The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. ²⁶He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. ²⁷He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. ²⁸He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. ²⁹He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. ³¹Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

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