Who said 'Pride comes before the fall?

In the King James version of the Holy Bible, Proverbs 16:18 warns that "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

ANSWER:

It is interesting that a proverbs quotation has turned into what it has, and it has because of popular interpretations of what is meant by "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." When read as it is written, this is hardly saying "Pride comes before the fall." When anyone of us are facing certain destruction, the first thing to go is pride. This is as it should be since there is nothing to be proud of when facing destruction. That a "haughty spirit" comes before a fall is also self evident. Weaker spirits rarely rise high enough to risk falling. Pride has been unfairly attacked as an unseemly character trait. People suggest that we should forget pride and seek out humility. If you are living life, I assure you, humility will seek you out and there need be no rush to meet it. Humility will find you with or without your guidance. Pride, on the other hand is not so easily found. Pride is recognition of accomplishment.

OR

I disagree completely with the previous answer. In The Bible and especially in proverbs, the whole objective is to guide people to live lives that reflect values that benefit humanity as a whole... not individuals. Pride in this sense is not satisfaction based on accomplishment... wrong context completely. The pride in this verse is the type of arrogance... that leads to destruction. The pride of men that makes them think they are better than their fellow human beings, the pride that causes men to think they do not have to follow rules, respect others, themselves or God.

Its a warning. Pride comes before Destruction... and a haughty (scornful, condesendingly proud) spirit, before the fall.

I wish to add to the two answers.

Pride as 'satisfaction' in one's own accomplishments and pride as feeling superior to others are very closely related. In that the first very frequently leads to the second. I have done well can become, I have done better than others, which can translate to I am better than others. My personal experience as well as my observation of others is that this progression is common human nature and when it happens, both our judgment and our ability to incorporate feedback from others are diminished. This leads to mistakes that most frequently bring us back to ground.

So in addition to being 'spirtual' advice. The proverb (like most proverbs) provides practical advice to all those who are successful and wish to remain so.

The abbreviation of the proverb 'Pride comes before a fall' takes little away from the meaning of the proverb. Though it does perhaps reduce the gravity of the warning.

This later interpretation of the proverb has recently been supported objectively through the work of Jim Collins, as he explains in his book, "How the Mighty Fall." In that book, he describes a common pattern seen in great companies, but also in individuals, prior to profound decline. There are four stages, begining with the "hubris of success (lack of humility)," followed by "undisciplined pursuit of more." These equate to pride, and this mindset, when followed by denial of risk, is characteristically seen before the fall leads to destruction.