Context

Proverbs is all about wisdom, and this little tidbit is nothing different. This quote comes packed with a whole bunch of other super smart sayings, but this verse really sticks out.

Basically, the author (who is traditionally named as King Solomon, though Biblical scholars don't quite agree) is saying that folks who have big heads are looking for trouble. Think about it. When you're feeling confident, you're less likely to notice obstacles in your way. After all, you're awesome. You've got this. No one can mess you up. It's the reason villains do that whole monologue where they reveal their secret plan to the hero right before they're about to kill him.

Seriously, Dr. Evil. Try reading your Proverbs next time.

Where you've heard it

This quote is more commonly cited as "pride comes before the fall," which is basically a shorter, snappier way of saying the same thing. Don't get too big for your britches.

Additional Notable References

• This is Satan's big problem in Paradise Lost. He's way too proud to play second fiddle to humankind. Getting booted into Hell is one big fall.
• Vizzini in The Princess Bride is guilty of this and gets outwitted pretty handily for his arrogance.
• In Revenge of the Sith, Count Dooku warns Anakin Skywalker that "twice the pride" usually means "double the fall." Ouch.
• The Greeks had the same basic idea when they talked about the concept of hubris. If you felt too confident in your supreme awesomeness, you were just inviting the gods to strike you down.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

It's not too surprising that arrogant people don't generally like it when you point out their arrogance. So, yeah, this one will get you some pretty heavy duty eye rolls…but it'll all be worth it when you watch them trip over their own feet. Sweet justice.