The answer is: An abomination

Pro 16:5

When Proverbs talks about pride being an “abomination” to the Lord, it’s really hammering home a universal truth: humility and pride don’t mix well. Pride often leads to self-centeredness, a big reason these two biblical concepts clash. Looking at ancient cultures—many revered humility, even creating space for wisdom due to the acknowledgment of one's limitations.

Interestingly, this evokes the essence of certain leaders from the Bible, such as King David, who—despite his mistakes and moments of pride—humbled himself and sought forgiveness from God. That balance of vulnerability was key for David’s redemption arc.

And just imagine: The people of Israel, dancing joyously one moment and witnessing the crushing downfall of kings who couldn’t hold their egos in check the next—it's almost Shakespearean! This reflects the continuous human challenge of balancing self-confidence even in midst of public achievements.

What’s intriguing about Proverbs is that it's often echoed in other wisdom literature found outside the Bible! For instance, ancient stoics upheld similar values, teaching that wisdom flows not just from knowledge but from knowing one's place in the grand scheme—all that keeps circling back to revere humility. Contrasting history’s prideful figures who stumbled—like Nebuchadnezzar—it’s a timeless lesson not just for ancient peoples but for anyone navigating life today. The clever twist is that in practicing humility, we’re more resilient when we inevitably face our failures.