Homilist Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. I. PRIDE AS THE PRECURSOR OF RUIN. Pride and haughtiness are equivalents. What is here predicted of pride — 1. Agrees with its nature. It is according to the instinct of pride to put its subject in an unnatural, and, therefore, in an unsafe position. The proud man's foot is on quicksand, not on rock. 2. Agrees with its history. Destruction always has followed in its march. II. HUMILITY IS THE PLEDGE OF GOOD. What are all the spoils of earth's haughty conquerors to be compared with the blessedness of a genuinely humble soul? "Humility," says Sir Benjamin Brodie, "leads to the highest distinction, because it leads to self-improvement. Study to know your own character; endeavour to learn, and to supply your own deficiencies; never assume to yourselves qualities which you do not possess." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.WEB: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. |
    |