Proverbs 16:18

18. Pride… destruction Better, Before breaking up, splendour! and before ruin, loftiness of spirit! The splendour, of course, is of the kind that may be called vain show, loftiness of spirit, ambition to shine in the higher circles of society. How forcible the proverb! How true to observation! It is particularly commended to business men. Compare Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 15:25; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12. [N.B. The Masorites note this as the middle verse of the book.] 19. Humble spirit, etc. Rather, humility of mind with the lowly, than dividing of the spoil with the lofty. גאים , ( geim,) literally, high ones; metaphorically, the proud, haughty. It seems to imply here those who are elated with victory.