Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall
pride comes before a fall
Origin
The proverb comes from the Bible, from Proverbs of Solomon 16:18: 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a ' (Luther Bible). Pride (superbia) was also counted among the seven deadly sins.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Possessive articles in the dativePossessivartikel im Dativ
- Subordinate clause with 'weil' (because, causal)Nebensatz mit 'weil' (Kausalsatz)
- Subordinate clause with 'dass' (that)Nebensatz mit 'dass'
- Subordinate clause with 'wenn' (if/when, temporal/conditional)Nebensatz mit 'wenn' (temporal/konditional)
- Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
- Two-way prepositions contrast: Wo? vs. Wohin? (where vs. where to)Wechselpräpositionen Kontrast: Wo? vs. Wohin?
Examples
Er prahlte zu und verlor — kommt dem .
He boasted too soon and then lost after all — pride comes before a fall.