Proverbs 11:2 kjv

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 nkjv

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 niv

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 esv

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 nlt

Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 2 Meaning

Proverbs 11:2 declares a fundamental principle: human pride or arrogance inevitably leads to disgrace and dishonor. Conversely, true wisdom is found in company with those who possess humility and modesty. It posits a clear cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting that the path of self-exaltation results in humiliation, while the path of lowliness of mind opens the way to divine understanding and proper living. This verse underscores God's valuing of humility over haughtiness, indicating a divine principle of justice in action.

Proverbs 11 2 Context

Proverbs 11 belongs to the main collection of Solomon's proverbs (Prov 10:1-22:16), which primarily employs antithetical parallelism. This literary device sets opposing ideas or outcomes side-by-side to highlight the contrast between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness. Chapter 11, in particular, repeatedly emphasizes the blessings of integrity, justice, and generosity, and the corresponding ruin caused by dishonesty, pride, and greed. Verse 2 functions as an opening principle for this contrast, immediately pitting pride against humility and their respective results.

Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, honor and shame were paramount social currencies. Pride, often linked with self-sufficiency and defiance of deity or social order, was seen as a pathway to disgrace. The biblical perspective elevates humility, not as a weakness, but as an accurate self-perception before God and a pathway to true wisdom and divine favor. This wisdom, chokmah, is not merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill in living righteously, which originates from the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 11 2 Word analysis

• When pride (גָּאוֹן - ga'on) comes:
  • ga'on signifies loftiness, majesty, excellence, or, negatively, arrogance, insolence, and haughtiness.
  • In a positive sense, it refers to the majesty of God or the dignity of a nation.
  • In Prov 11:2, it is distinctly negative: self-exaltation, an overblown sense of one's own importance or ability, often accompanied by contempt for others or defiance of divine authority.
  • It represents a false and dangerous elevation of self.
  • It stems from the inner spirit, an attitude.
• then comes disgrace (קָלוֹן - qalon):
  • qalon means dishonor, shame, ignominy, or contempt.
  • It is the direct, often public, consequence of pride.
  • It signifies the humbling of the haughty, a stripping away of their perceived grandeur.
  • This is not merely misfortune but a righteous judgment.
• but with humility (צְנוּעִים - ts'nu'im):
  • ts'nu'im derives from a root meaning "to be modest, unostentatious, discreet."
  • It describes those who are modest, humble, unassuming, not arrogant or boastful.
  • This humility is a state of mind, an attitude of dependence on God rather than self.
  • It is about walking discreetly and wisely before God and man.
• is wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokmah).
  • chokmah encompasses practical skill, prudence, insight, and discernment, especially in living a life that aligns with divine principles.
  • It is not mere academic knowledge but the ability to apply knowledge correctly and live wisely.
  • It has its ultimate source in God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When pride comes, then comes disgrace": This forms a strong cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting an inevitable sequence. Pride (inner attitude) directly leads to disgrace (outward consequence). The "comes... comes" parallelism emphasizes the certainty and directness of this outcome. This isn't just a possibility; it's a divinely ordained principle of cause and consequence. The haughty soul sets itself up for a fall.
• "but with humility is wisdom": This presents the contrasting principle. It suggests that humility is not merely the opposite of pride, but the very ground upon which true wisdom rests. Wisdom is not gained through arrogance or self-assertion, but through a modest, teachable spirit that recognizes its limits and looks beyond itself for knowledge and guidance. Humility is a prerequisite for receiving and exercising God-given wisdom; without it, self-delusion often supplants true insight.

Proverbs 11 2 Bonus section

The antithetical parallelism in Proverbs 11:2 (pride/disgrace vs. humility/wisdom) is a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, powerfully contrasting two opposing ways of life and their inevitable outcomes. This structural design amplifies the ethical choice presented to the reader. The proverb underscores that wisdom is not merely intellectual accumulation but a moral quality intrinsically linked to character—specifically, humility. It subtly critiques any notion that power, wealth, or worldly acclaim are direct indicators of God's favor if accompanied by arrogance, placing ultimate value on inner disposition and its spiritual results. The disgrace associated with pride isn't just a social setback; it often carries a spiritual weight, signaling God's judgment against self-exaltation.

Proverbs 11 2 Commentary

Proverbs 11:2 acts as a foundational truth in the wisdom literature, revealing a fundamental principle of divine order concerning human character. It asserts that pride, characterized by self-sufficiency and an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, carries within it the seeds of its own downfall. This is not simply a prediction but a moral consequence inherent in God's created order; His character dictates that He opposes the arrogant and humbles the proud. The resulting "disgrace" is a just and often public unveiling of the proud person's true folly and vulnerability.

Conversely, the verse presents humility as the companion and conduit of genuine "wisdom." Biblical humility is not self-abasement or weakness, but an accurate appraisal of oneself in relation to God and others. It involves recognizing one's limitations, acknowledging dependence on God, and a willingness to learn. This modest disposition creates fertile ground for receiving God's chokmah—the practical understanding and skill needed to navigate life's complexities righteously and successfully. True wisdom flows from a humble heart because it allows for receptivity to divine instruction and teaches one to value counsel, serving others, and prioritizing God's honor over one's own. Ultimately, this proverb serves as both a warning against destructive arrogance and an invitation to cultivate a spirit of humility as the pathway to flourishing in God's favor and living wisely.

Practical examples:

• A leader who considers himself infallible will likely lead his team to a major failure and personal discredit.
• A student who boasts of knowing everything will never truly learn and mature in understanding.
• One who is too proud to admit error cannot reconcile broken relationships and experiences ongoing strife.