BY: DESMOND JUDE

Those of us who read the Book of Proverbs in the Bible are familiar with the phrase or saying that “pride goes before a fall” but ever since then this Biblical quotation has become a gem of universal wisdom.

Not only is this saying or phrase familiar to Christians, but many people of other faiths and especially those who use the English language as their first or second language are fond of using this proverb.

When a person becomes conceited, or when a person becomes too self important, that person is in danger of falling into shame and condemnation and this is why people who are flying high should beware of getting into this trap.

If it is important to have pride, it has to be the right and appropriate kind of pride and not having false pride, which leads us down the path of defeat and destruction because of esteeming ourselves to be too wise for our own good.

This is why it is important to stay grounded and not lust and hunger for power, fame and fortune but to opt to be modest and unassuming, just thinking well of ourselves and not groping for the glory of this world.

Those who do, who are self seeking and self serving people, are in grave danger of ending up in defeat and despair as they did not practise or pay heed to the proverb of significant and magnificent value that “pride always goes before a fall.”

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher