Pride goeth before destruction is the half everyone quotes. The full line adds and an haughty spirit before a fall, which is the same idea said twice — a device Hebrew poetry uses for emphasis, not for variety.
James and Peter both quote the same line: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. That it appears twice, from two writers, suggests it was already a settled saying rather than either man's insight.
Philippians 2:3 asks for something specific and nearly impossible: in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Not equal. Better. Paul does not soften it, and the verse after tells you what it looks like in practice — attending to other people's concerns as well as your own.
The verses
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Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Open → James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Open → 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Open → Philippians 2:3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Open → Philippians 2:4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Open → Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Open → Proverbs 11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Open → Matthew 23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Open → Proverbs 22:4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Open → Colossians 3:12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Open → Search this and more on FirstVerseOpen Micah 6:8 on FirstVerse. It compresses the whole subject into one sentence and is worth reading in context.
Related subjects
Scripture: King James Version, public domain. Last updated August 15, 2026.