Pride goes before a fall.
Pride goes before a fall.
Meaning in plain English
The saying places pride before a fall. It warns that excessive self-confidence may precede a setback.
Example
Someone checks an important assumption despite feeling confident about a plan.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The sequence gives humility a cautionary image without proving that all pride causes failure. A useful interpretation checks assumptions rather than treating every achievement as arrogance or every setback as deserved. Confidence can have a sound basis.
When to use it
Use it to examine overconfidence without judging every setback as punishment.
Keep in mind
No inevitable fall or moral verdict from success and failure is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 659; PDF page 95
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Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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