Proverbs 16:18-19 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

This is a paradox which the children of this world cannot understand and will not subscribe to, that it is better to be poor and humble than to be rich and proud. 1. Those that divide the spoil are commonly proud; they value themselves and despise others, and their mind rises with their condition; those therefore that are rich in this world have need to be charged that they be not high-minded, 1 Tim. 6:17. Those that are proud and will put forth themselves, that thrust, and shove, and... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly ,.... The followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, whose spirits are humbled under a sense of sin; have mean thoughts of themselves and their own righteousness, and submit to the righteousness of the Son of God, and wholly trust in him for salvation; and ascribe all they have and are to the free grace of God; humble themselves under the mighty hand of God; are resigned to his will, and patiently bear all afflictions without murmuring, and... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

This verse is connected in thought, as well as verbally, with the preceding. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly. The Revised Version has, with the poor ; but "meek" or "lowly" better contrasts with "proud" of the second clause. Psalms 84:10 , "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Than to divide the spoil with the proud. To share in the fruits of the operations and pursuits of the proud, and to enjoy their... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:16-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:18-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

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

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