A humility proverb warning that arrogance and boastfulness lead inevitably to downfall. Drawn from Proverbs 16:18 in the Hebrew Bible, and echoed across languages as a universal caution against self-aggrandizement.
Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall
Pride comes before the fall
🇩🇪 German
Berlin, DE
Based on Proverbs 16:18 but so deeply embedded in German culture that it functions as a native Sprichwort. In a culture that values Bescheidenheit (modesty) and distrusts self-aggrandizement, this proverb carries particular moral weight. Used extensively in German education and literature.
Contributed by AdagIA Team
Pride goes before a fall
🇺🇸 English
Faut pas se prendre pour un autre
Must not take oneself for another
🇫🇷 French
Paris, FR
Une expression profondément québécoise mettant en garde contre la prétention. La culture québécoise valorise fortement l'humilité et le naturel (« pas de grandes airs »). Quelqu'un qui se donne des airs se le fera dire rapidement. Reflète l'esprit égalitaire de la société québécoise.
Contributed by AdagIA Team
Не хвали себя сам, пусть люди похвалят
Do not praise yourself; let people praise you
🇷🇺 Russian
Moscow, RU
Pronunciation: Ne khvali sebya sam, pust lyudi pokhvalyat
A Russian proverb reflecting the culture's strong disapproval of self-promotion. In Russian society, modesty (скромность) is deeply valued. Boasting is considered not just rude but a sign of weak character. This proverb teaches that genuine worth is recognized by others without self-advertisement.
Contributed by AdagIA Team