Proverbs 18:12

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 Before destruction a person's heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but before honor comes humility.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 If a man's heart is proud, he will be destroyed. So don't be proud if you want to be honored.

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).


FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 18:12 In-Context

10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 15:33; S Proverbs 16:18
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