Wise Sayings Part 2

Written by Suzanne Benner

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“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

Probably the most familiar proverb about arrogance is “pride goes before a fall”, a shortened version of Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Most of us have seen that wise saying played out in our own lives or in the lives of others. Once you’ve experienced it, it seems rather obvious. Unfortunately, “easy to see” and “easy to avoid” are not always the same thing.

Other elements of pride that seemed plain to me as I read them were things like: pride breeds quarrels (13:10), pride is sin (21:4), God hates pride and will punish those who are proud (16:5).

I began my study of pride in the Proverbs by underlining in green the verses that used the words proud, arrogant and haughty, but the green in my Bible spread as I saw a picture of pride emerging.

Being “wise in your own eyes” (3:7) is being prideful.

Wisdom and pride are incompatible. (8:13)

We should not boast about tomorrow because we have no control over it (27:1)

“A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes” (29:1) describes a proud person.

Perhaps the best description of those who are proud is found in the first chapter of Proverbs:

“Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept [wisdom’s] advice and spurned [wisdom’s] rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes” (Proverbs 1:29-31).

If we want to be wise, we need to heed these words. To prevent pride from taking root in our lives, we must fear the Lord, love knowledge, and accept advice and correction from those who are wiser than us.

Holy God, I know that pride is sin. Give me a humble heart and teachable spirit. Amen.

Questions: Why are wisdom and pride incompatible? How does accepting correction build humility into our lives?

About the Author Suzanne Benner