Proverbs 11 · Verse 2

Proverbs 11:2

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2, King James Version

Proverbs 11:2 in other translations

BSBWhen pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
WEBWhen pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
ASVWhen pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom.
YLTPride hath come, and shame cometh, And with the lowly is wisdom.
DARBYWhen pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
BBEWhen pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
WebsterWhen pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

What does Proverbs 11:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare Pr 16:18; 18:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 When pride cometh - The proud man thinks much more of himself than any other can do; and, expecting to be treated according to his own supposed worth, which treatment he seldom meets with, he is repeatedly mortified, ashamed, confounded, and rendered indignant. With the lowly - צנועים tsenuim, ταπεινων, the humble, the modest, as opposed to the proud, referred to in the first clause. The humble man looks for nothing but justice; has the meanest opinion of himself; expects nothing in the way of commendation or praise; and can never be disappointed but in receiving praise, which he neither expects nor desires.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 11:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

בָּֽא\־ba'-it comesH935
זָ֭דוֹןZa.donprideH2087
וַיָּבֹ֣אvai.ya.Vo'and it cameH935
קָל֑וֹןka.LonshameH7036
וְֽאֶת\־ve.'Etand [is] withH854
צְנוּעִ֥יםtze.nu.'Immodest [people]H6800
חָכְמָֽה\׃chokh.mahwisdomH2451

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 11:2

  • Proverbs 29:23

    A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

  • Proverbs 16:18-19

    Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

  • Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

  • Luke 18:14

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • Proverbs 18:12

    Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  • Proverbs 3:34-35

    Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1-2

    Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

  • Luke 14:8-11

    When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • Daniel 4:30-32

    The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
pride.
3:34,35; 16:18,19; Da 4:30-32; Lu 14:8-11; 18:14
but.
15:33; 1Co 8:1,2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 11:1

    A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

  • Proverbs 11:2

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

  • Proverbs 11:3

    The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Read all of Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Cuando viene la soberbia, viene también la deshonra: mas con los humildes es la sabiduría.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Quand vient l’orgueil, la honte vient aussi; mais la sagesse est avec les hommes modestes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Kommt Übermut, so kommt auch Schande; bei den Bescheidenen aber ist Weisheit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ubi fuerit superbia, ibi erit et contumelia; ubi autem est humilitas, ibi et sapientia.