Proverbs 18:12
 Proverbs 18:12 
New International Version (©2011)
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Before a man's downfall, his mind is arrogant, but humility precedes honor.

NET Bible (©2006)
Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Before ruin, the heart of a man will be lifted up, and before honor is humility.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Before destruction a person's heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

American King James Version
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

American Standard Version
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

Darby Bible Translation
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour goeth humility.

English Revised Version
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility.

Webster's Bible Translation
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

World English Bible
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

Young's Literal Translation
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour is humility.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:4. The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom. 5. The merits of a cause must be looked to, not the person. 6,7. What mischief bad men do to themselves by their ungoverned tongues! 8. How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy! 9. Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin. 10,11. The Divine power, made known in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich man, who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong city and a high wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of that Judge whom they despised as a Saviour. 12. After the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour shall be the reward of humility. 13. Eagerness, with self-conceit, will expose to shame. 14. Firmness of mind supports under many pains and trials. But when the conscience is tortured with remorse, no human fortitude can bear the misery; what then will hell be? 15. We must get knowledge, not only into our heads, but into our hearts. 16. Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - (Comp. Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 15:33; where the maxims are found in almost the same words.)


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 (u) 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.

(u) "ante confractionem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Schultens.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. (Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).


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The Unfriendly Pursue Selfishness
11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility. 13He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. …

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 15:33 Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29:23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Ezekiel 29:9 Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. "'Because you said, "The Nile is mine; I made it,"