What does Proverbs 25:7 mean?

This proverb began in the prior verse (Proverbs 25:6) by advising against being too prideful around those in power or authority. It is better to be humble, and have others speak on your behalf. It's embarrassing to be "put in one's place" when others don't view you as highly as you view yourself.

In His parable of the wedding feast, Jesus delivered nearly this exact lesson. He said, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you" (Luke 14:8–10).

Some translations include a Hebrew phrase referring to "sight" or "view." Most scholars think this applies to the current proverb. That would imply one should avoid being embarrassed in front of the noble person in front of them. Other translations associate this phrase with the following proverb, which cautions against hastily taking matters to court. The essential lesson of each of the two proverbs remains the same, regardless of to which the phrase about vision belongs.