Pride

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It should be noted, especially in the King James Bible, that the word pride should usually be rendered "vanity" or other like term. Vanity is the belief that any of our (perceived or real) qualities, abilities, achievements, and so on makes us better than others.

True pride, however, which is not a sin, is the satisfaction we feel for what we, or others, have accomplished and done well. Solomon's proverbs condemn the foolish and erroneous attitudes of superiority that people are prone to manifest through their human nature.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit (humility) among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud (Proverbs 16:18 - 19).

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate (Proverbs 8:13).


When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with (those who have humility, Proverbs 11:2).

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor (Proverbs 3:34).

A proud and haughty scorner is his name who acts with arrogant rage (Proverbs 21:24).

One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones (Proverbs 17:19).


Head of young man
Head of Young Man
Albrecht Durer, 1503

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10).

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the lips of the wise preserve them (Proverbs 14:3).

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries (Proverbs 15:25).

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor (Proverbs 15:33).

All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished (Proverbs 16:5).


World's Wit and Wisdom
When a proud man hears
another praised, he feels
himself injured.
English proverb

A fanatic is a man who
does what he thinks the
Lord would do if He knew
the facts of the case.
Finley Peter Dunne, 1865 - 1936

Usually we praise
only to be praised.
Francois Rochefoucauld, 1613 - 1680

A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor (Proverbs 29:23).

Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor (Proverbs 18:12).

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself (full of pride), or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth (Proverbs 30:32).

Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust? (Proverbs 20:6).

Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given (Proverbs 25:14).

It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor (Proverbs 25:27).


World's Wit and Wisdom
It is well to remember that the
entire population of the universe,
with one trifling exception,
is composed of others.
Andrew J. Holmes, 1946

Self-love is the
greatest of all flatterers.
Francois Rochefoucauld, 1613 - 1680

Love of fame is the last
thing even learned men
can bear to be parted from.
Cornelius Tacitus, c. 56 - 120

Do you see persons wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for fools than for them (Proverbs 26:12).

The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem (pride) than seven who can answer discreetly (Proverbs 26:16).

It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud (Proverbs 16:19).

Haughty eyes and a proud heart - the lamp of the wicked - are sin (Proverbs 21:4).

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life (Proverbs 22:4).

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth a stranger, and not your own lips (Proverbs 27:1 - 2).

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out (Proverbs 28:11).

There are those who are pure in their own eyes yet are not cleansed of their filthiness. There are those - how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift! (Proverbs 30:12 - 13).

Only by pride comes contention, but with those who take advice is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them (Proverbs 14:3).

A man's pride shall bring him low, but honor shall uphold (those who possess humility) in spirit (Proverbs 29:23).

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Introduction to Proverbs
Adultery    -    Blessings    -    Children
Debt    -    Envy    -    Fools
God Hates    -    Good and Evil
Hope and Mercy
Judgment    -    Justice    -    Laziness
The Mouth    -    Parents    -    Trials
Trust & Faith    -    Virtuous Wife
The Way of the Lord
Wisdom    -    The Wise