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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Note, 1. Pride will have a fall. Those that are of a haughty spirit, that think of themselves above what is meet, and look with contempt upon others, that with their pride affront God and disquiet others, will be brought down, either by repentance or by ruin. It is the honour of God to humble the proud, Job 40:11, 12. It is the act of justice that those who have lifted up themselves should be laid low. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, were instances of this. Men cannot punish pride, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction ,.... As it did in the angels that sinned, who, through pride, fell into condemnation, not being able to bear the thought that the human nature, in the person of the Son of God, should be advanced above theirs; and as it did in our first parents, who, not content with their present state and circumstances, and ambitious of being as gods, knowing good and evil, ruined themselves and all their posterity; and as it has done in many of their sons, as in Haman,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction - Here pride is personified: it walks along, and has destruction in its train. And a haughty spirit before a fall - Another personification. A haughty spirit marches on, and ruin comes after. In this verse we find the following Masoretic note in most Hebrew Bibles. הספר חצי chatsi hassepher : "the middle of the book." This verse is the middle verse; and the first clause makes the middle of the words of the book of Proverbs. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:16-26

The Divine justice in respect to the wise and fools We see the moral order of God revealed in the character and life of men in various ways. Their conduct has a good or evil effect on themselves, on their fellows, and is exposed to Divine judgment. Let us take these in their order. I. THE REFLEXIVE EFFECT OF MAN 'S CONDUCT . 1 . Wisdom is enriching ( Proverbs 16:16 ). To acquire it is better than ordinary wealth ( Proverbs 3:14 ; Proverbs 8:10 , Proverbs 8:11 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction. A maxim continually enforced (see Proverbs 11:2 ; Proverbs 17:19 ; Proverbs 18:12 ). Here is the contrast to the blessing on humility promised ( Proverbs 15:33 ). A haughty spirit—a lifting up of spirit—goeth before a fall (comp. Daniel 4:29 , etc). Thus, according to Herodotus ( Proverbs 7:10 ), Artabanus warned the arrogant Xerxes, "Seest thou how God strikes with the thunder animals which overtop others, and suffers them not to vaunt themselves,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:18-19

( Proverbs 11:2 ; Proverbs 18:12 ) Pride and humility Great insistance is laid in Scripture on the evil of pride and the value of humility. The subject has a large place in those "thoughts of God," which are communicated to us in his Word. I. THE EVIL OF PRIDE . 1 . It is based on falsity. For what has the richest or the strongest or the cleverest man, what has the most beautiful or the most honoured woman, that he or she has not received ( 1 Corinthians 4:7 )?... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:16-18

Proverbs 16:16-18. How much better is it It is inexpressibly and inconceivably better to get wisdom than gold Because it brings a man more certain, and complete, and lasting comfort and advantage. The way of the upright Their common road, in which they constantly desire, purpose, and endeavour to walk; is to depart from evil The evil of sin, whereby they escape the evil of punishment. He that keepeth his way That takes heed to walk in that high way; preserveth his soul From that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Laying plans and making decisions (16:1-33)A person may make plans, but God is the one who determines their outcome. He knows the person’s unseen motives and controls events according to his purposes. It is important, therefore, always to bring God into one’s planning (16:1-4). God punishes the arrogant but has mercy on those who fear him (5-6). He protects them from harm and guides them on the right pathway (7-9).When a king’s wisdom comes from God, his decisions will be right. He will show no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth, &c. Illustrations: Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18-23 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3 , 1 Kings 20:11 , 1 Kings 20:32 ); Babylon (Isaiah 47:10 , Isaiah 47:11 ); Azariah (Jeremiah 43:2-11 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30 , Daniel 4:31 .Psalms 49:11 , Psalms 49:12 ); Edom (Obadiah 1:3-4 ); Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:21-23 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 16:18

"Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."This is another of the many proverbs denouncing human pride. "Pride brings shame (Proverbs 11:2); humility brings honor (Proverbs 15:33); pride and humility are contrasted (Proverbs 21:24; 22:4; and Proverbs 30:13)."[21] read more

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