Proverbs 18:12

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

Proverbs 18:12 in Other Translations

KJV
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
ESV
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
NLT
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
MSG
12 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
CSB
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but before honor comes humility.

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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