“Pride goes before a fall”
Wouldn’t your pride take a beating while you’re falling or after you’ve fallen on your ass?
What does this little homily mean?
No, it means that pride comes before a fall. See, you’re going along, doing fine, then you get proud, you get that old Greek hubris, and then fate comes along and knocks you on your ass.
You know, like the builders of the Titanic said “Nothing can sink this ship” and then, first trip out, it sunk.
And it’s a proverb, btw, not a homily. Actually, it’s from the Book of Proverbs in the bible:
I think that verse means that your pride swells up, then you fall.
In other words, if you start thinking too highly about yourself, beware because you’re about to get knocked down a peg or two.
Oh, I see…
“Pride comes before a fall” would be more of a Modern English translation.
And definitely explains the meaning better, to me anyway.
Thanks. 
It’s like this:
Prideful Person: Look at me! I am so great! I am so smart! I am so-
Reality: WHOMP!
Wouldn’t make much sense the other way around, would it?
I think what the Bible means by “pride” is what we nowadays call “arrogance.” Rather than good pride, being confident and unashamed of ourselves.
Yes, that seems more exact.
“Arrogance comes before a fall.”
I think the word Denial could also be substituted,
but then again, so could many other states of being.
Gracias.
The builders did not claim that. The popular press did.
Goes before = precedes = leads to.
I believe the proper quote is: “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” It’s from the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 16, verse 18.