Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 21:24 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride. "
Proverbs 21:24
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
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Here you can see the damage pride and arrogance do. First, they lead people into sin. Pride makes people quick-tempered and stirs up a fire of proud anger. They keep at it as if anger were their business, always trading insults and sharp words. Much of the anger that troubles people and communities comes from this kind of prideful anger.
People cannot bear the smallest offense. If anyone crosses them or disagrees with them, they immediately become upset, then angry. Pride also makes people contemptuous when they are angry, rude in what they say, insolent to those above them, and harsh and bossy toward everyone around them. All of this comes from pride.
Second, pride brings shame. It gives people a bad reputation, and everyone calls them proud, haughty mockers. For that reason, others do not want much to do with them. If people thought more about their good name, and about the honor of their faith, which is hurt by such behavior, they would not give in to pride and anger so easily.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 21:1
"The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."
Proverbs 21:2
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts."
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:4
"A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin."
Proverbs 21:5
"The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty."
Proverbs 21:6
"Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death."
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