40 Essential Pride Quotes Bible Verses on Humility

Exploring the concept of pride through the lens of timeless wisdom offers profound insights into personal growth and spiritual balance. The Bible provides a rich treasury of verses that serve as both warnings against arrogance and calls toward true humility. These powerful quotes remind us that true strength lies not in self-exaltation, but in recognizing the path to lasting honor.

Warnings Against Arrogance and Self-Exaltation

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Author: Proverbs 16:18

Benefit: A core principle warning that arrogance inevitably leads to downfall and failure.

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

Author: Proverbs 11:2

Benefit: Clearly contrasts the negative outcome of pride with the wisdom found in humility.

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit."

Author: Proverbs 29:23

Benefit: Highlights the universal consequence: pride degrades while humility elevates.

"Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."

Author: Proverbs 13:10

Benefit: Identifies pride as the root cause of arguments and strife among people.

"Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin."

Author: Proverbs 21:4

Benefit: Defines the external display of pride—haughty eyes—as morally wrong and characteristic of the wicked.

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Author: James 4:6

Benefit: Explains divine judgment against arrogance and favor toward modesty and submission.

"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world."

Author: 1 John 2:16

Benefit: Categorizes the 'pride of life' as one of the three foundational worldly temptations.

"He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat."

Author: Proverbs 28:25

Benefit: Shows that trust in a higher power provides security, contrasting with the turmoil caused by pride.

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."

Author: Psalm 10:4

Benefit: Reveals how pride acts as a barrier, preventing a person from seeking spiritual connection or acknowledging God.

"There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination unto Him: Haughty eyes..."

Author: Proverbs 6:16-17

Benefit: Lists the 'proud look' explicitly among the characteristics detested by the Divine.

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches."

Author: Jeremiah 9:23

Benefit: Commands against boasting in worldly achievements like intellect, strength, or wealth.

"Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished."

Author: Proverbs 16:5

Benefit: Emphasizes the severity of heart arrogance and promises accountability for the proud.

"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."

Author: Proverbs 26:12

Benefit: Illustrates that self-conceit and intellectual arrogance are worse conditions than simple ignorance.

"The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low."

Author: Isaiah 2:17

Benefit: A declaration that all forms of human arrogance and self-exaltation will eventually be humbled.

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you."

Author: Obadiah 1:3

Benefit: Points out that pride often blinds individuals to their own weaknesses and impending dangers.

"They are wrapped in pride as in a garment; violence covers them as a cloak."

Author: Psalm 73:6

Benefit: Describes pride as an outward covering that often accompanies harmful behavior and a lack of empathy.

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

Author: Proverbs 18:12

Benefit: Establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship between arrogance and ruin.

"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."

Author: Proverbs 27:2

Benefit: A practical instruction against self-praise and boasting, favoring genuine external commendation.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Author: Luke 14:11

Benefit: A New Testament paradox defining the spiritual mechanism of lasting elevation.

"A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..."

Author: Proverbs 6:17

Benefit: Groups the visual manifestation of pride (the proud look) with other severe moral failings.

Embracing Humility and Finding True Elevation

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

Author: James 4:10

Benefit: Provides a direct instruction for receiving elevation and favor from the Divine.

"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Author: 1 Peter 5:5

Benefit: Encourages believers to practice humility as a communal virtue, securing divine grace.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Author: Micah 6:8

Benefit: Defines humility (walking humbly) as one of the three essential requirements for a righteous life.

"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life."

Author: Proverbs 22:4

Benefit: Lists the tangible rewards—wealth, respect, and longevity—that accompany genuine humility.

"The Lord lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground."

Author: Psalm 147:6

Benefit: Assures that strength is found not in self-assertion, but in quiet submission and meekness.

"He guides the humble in justice, and he teaches the humble his way."

Author: Psalm 25:9

Benefit: Explains that divine instruction and guidance are reserved for those who are teachable.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves."

Author: Philippians 2:3

Benefit: Provides a high standard of humility: valuing others above oneself in practical interaction.

"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment."

Author: Romans 12:3

Benefit: Advises against self-delusion, promoting an honest and realistic self-assessment of gifts and capabilities.

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

Author: Proverbs 15:33

Benefit: Confirms humility as the mandatory prerequisite for achieving genuine, lasting honor and respect.

"It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Author: Proverbs 16:19

Benefit: Prioritizes character and good company over temporary material gain achieved through arrogance.

"Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread."

Author: Proverbs 12:9

Benefit: Values substance and genuine resourcefulness over inflated self-importance and vanity.

"When thou art invited of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him."

Author: Luke 14:8

Benefit: Offers practical advice on social conduct, recommending modesty to avoid public embarrassment.

"The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Author: Psalm 51:17

Benefit: Identifies a humble, repentant heart as the most valuable offering to the Divine.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Author: Proverbs 3:5

Benefit: Encourages relying on external wisdom rather than trusting one's own limited intellect, a form of intellectual humility.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Author: Matthew 18:4

Benefit: Establishes childlike simplicity and lack of pretense as the measure of true spiritual greatness.

"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?"

Author: 1 Corinthians 4:7

Benefit: A rhetorical question designed to deflate arrogance by reminding the individual that all good things are gifts.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face..."

Author: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Benefit: Positions humility as the necessary first step required before spiritual renewal and healing can occur.

"Whosoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

Author: Matthew 23:12

Benefit: A succinct, powerful summation of the principle of elevation through self-lowering.

"Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

Author: James 1:19

Benefit: Prescribes self-control and thoughtful listening, traits that counteract hasty, proud speech.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

Author: Proverbs 3:7

Benefit: Directly warns against intellectual pride and mandates reverence as the antidote to self-sufficiency.

"The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

Author: Proverbs 18:15

Benefit: Connects prudence and wisdom not with inherent knowing, but with the active seeking of further knowledge—a humble characteristic.

These ancient words provide a timeless roadmap for navigating the temptations of arrogance and the true rewards of a humble spirit. By integrating these profound 'pride quotes bible' verses into our daily philosophy, we find not only moral clarity but the stable foundation upon which genuine honor and lasting success are built.