Proverbs 25:6

6 Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.

Proverbs 25:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:6

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king
Intrude not thyself into his presence; or rush not into it in a rude and irreverent way; or be not ambitious to be a courtier: or "do not appear glorious", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; or "honour thyself"


FOOTNOTES:

F1 as the word signifies; do not appear too gay at court, or make too splendid an appearance, above thy fortune and station; and which may seem to vie with and outdo the king himself, which will not be well taken; princes love not to be equalled, and much less excelled; and stand not in the place of great [men];
where the king's family or his nobles should stand, his ministers and counsellors of state, and those that wait upon him.
F1 (rdhtt la) "ne tibi assumas honorem", Cocceius; "ne honores teipsum", Michaelis; "ne magnificum te facias", Schultens; "ne magnifices te", Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 25:6 In-Context

4 Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
5 Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
6 Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.
7 It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.
8 Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.