Proverbs 18:12

12 In the presence of destruction, the heart of a man will be haughty, but in the presence of honor, humble.

Proverbs 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty
Lifted up with his riches. Rich men are apt to be highminded, and therefore are to be charged and cautioned against it; they are apt to look above their poor neighbours, and with contempt upon them; and very often this haughtiness of theirs is a presage of their ruin and destruction: and those haughty airs are put on from the pride of their hearts, when a "breach" is near, as the word ^F21 signifies, or when they are ready to break; however, their haughty spirits are, sooner or later, humbled by one distressing providence or another; see ( Proverbs 16:18 ) ; and before honour [is] humility; (See Gill on Proverbs 15:33).

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (rbv ynpl) "ante confractionem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Schultens.

Proverbs 18:12 In-Context

10 A tower of strength is the name of Yahweh; into him the righteous will run and be safe.

11 The wealth of the rich [is] {his strong city}, and like a wall, it is high in his imagination.

12 In the presence of destruction, the heart of a man will be haughty, but in the presence of honor, humble.

13 He who returns a word before he will hear, folly itself [belongs] to him as well as shame.

14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness, but a broken spirit, who may bear it?

Footnotes

• [a] Or "mind"