Proverbs 17:19 Meaning and Explanation
“He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Love of conflict reveals love of sin, and pride in one's defenses invites ruin.
The Context of Proverbs 17:19
Proverbs warns that certain passions and attitudes inevitably draw negative consequences.
What Does Proverbs 17:19 Mean?
The verse links two kinds of self-destructiveness. The person who loves strife—who courts conflict and relishes quarrels—thereby reveals a deeper allegiance to transgression itself. Similarly, the one who exalts his gate (speaks proudly of his fortifications, his strength, his readiness for conflict) is not securing himself but seeking destruction. Pride in defensive strength becomes an invitation for catastrophe to test it.
Both paths lead to the same end: ruin. The person devoted to conflict eventually provokes an adversary stronger than himself. The proud fortress-builder attracts the very assault he thinks he can withstand. In both cases, the pursuit of struggle becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 17:19
What does Proverbs 17:19 mean?
Love of conflict reveals love of sin, and pride in one's defenses invites ruin.
What is the context of Proverbs 17:19?
Proverbs warns that certain passions and attitudes inevitably draw negative consequences.