Proverbs 16:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

NIV: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

NASB: Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

CSB: Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

NLT: Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

KJV: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

NKJV: Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

This often-cited proverb notes that arrogance puts a person at risk for disaster. As with many such statements, it is true in both physical and spiritual ways. Overestimating one's athletic skills might result in severe injury. "Cocky" fighters—those who become too self-confident—might suffer a stunning upset. History is full of losses and tragedies set up by someone's smug self-assurance.

Even more dangerous is an attitude of spiritual pride: the arrogance that assumes one does not need God's merciful forgiveness (Proverbs 6:16–19; Psalm 10:4–6; Romans 2:4–6). Those too proud to humble themselves before judgment will be humbled anyway (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10), but only before being cast into an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10–15). Jesus told a parable warning about arrogance, showing the difference between a self-assured Pharisee and a self-aware tax collector (Luke 18:9–14).

King Nebuchadnezzar is a famous example of God humbling a proud person. Daniel 4:29–33 reports that Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his palace in Babylon, when he boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" The next two verses tell us while he was mouthing these arrogant words, a voice from heaven announced that he would lose his throne and become an exile, living like an animal among animals. As promised, Nebuchadnezzar was driven insane and ate grass like an ox. God mercifully restored him, with a much-improved attitude (Daniel 4:34–37).

Proverbs 16:16–26 focuses on righteousness, pride, humility, faith, speaking, and industrious labor. Again, we see the contrast between the upright and fools, as well as between diligence and laziness. Many of these proverbs come in a two-sentence style, where each presents the same idea from different directions of thought.

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.