Pride Comes Before The Fall // Brooke Bradley

 Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before the fall” (KJV). In Books one and two of ​Paradise Lost,​ it is made clear just how true this proverb is, especially in the case of Satan and the other fallen angels. Satan’s exile from God’s presence is a direct result of his pride. Satan is too prideful to be underneath God in authority, and attempts to usurp His power.

After being banished from Heaven, Satan addresses his subjects saying, “To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven” (Milton 261-262). When Satan says this, he demonstrates the extent of his pride. He would rather rule in a place of misery, and be miserable himself, than submit to God in Heaven. His pride will not allow him to be in a lower position, and he feels as though he deserves to rule. This pride is what causes Satan’s fall from grace. Later on we will see that Satan’s fall does not end with his banishment to hell. Rather, he perpetually falls further from God as he indulges his pride and seeks vengeance on mankind. 

Commented on Isabelle’s and Breanna’s posts.

(Note: I am posting this because Brooke is not able to access Blogger but has sent this to me for me to post. I will also be posting her comments for her.)


Comments

  1. Emily ThullesenSeptember 7, 2021 at 1:02 AM

    You are absolutely right. Pride was the cause of the fall because pride is essentially the starting point for all of our choices to sin. We see our own ways as more important than God’s ways, and, therefore, we do not give up on our own selfish ways. In other words, pride is the root of all sin. It is choosing selfishness, which leads to destruction.

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