Proverbs 18:11 Meaning and Explanation
“The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A rich person trusts wealth as protection, but this trust is false—it exists only in their imagination.
The Context of Proverbs 18:11
False security: wealth seems protective but only in the rich person's imagination.
What Does Proverbs 18:11 Mean?
The rich person's wealth serves as a strong city and high wall to him—he believes it protects him from all threats, from need, from consequence. His confidence in material resources is complete, and he relies on them as absolute security.
Yet the verse adds 'in his own conceit'—his confidence is imaginary. The wall exists only in his mind. Wealth cannot truly protect against judgment, against loss, against the deeper threats to life and soul. The rich deceive themselves about what their money can do.
Proverbs 18:11 in the Original Language
conceit (דִּמְיוֹן, dimyon), 'imagination' or 'fancy' — something perceived but not real, existing only in the mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 18:11
What does Proverbs 18:11 mean?
A rich person trusts wealth as protection, but this trust is false—it exists only in their imagination.
What is the context of Proverbs 18:11?
False security: wealth seems protective but only in the rich person's imagination.