John Gill Commentary Proverbs 25:7

"For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen." — Proverbs 25:7 (ASV)

For better [it is] that it be said to you, Come up hither ,
&c.] It is much more to your honour and credit to seat yourself in a place rather beneath than above you; which being observed by some of the officers at court, or by him whose business it is to look after such things, he will beckon or call to you to come up to a higher and more honourable place:

than that you should be put lower, in the presence of the prince
whom your eyes have seen ;
than that you should be thrust away with a severe rebuke for your boldness and arrogance, in approaching too near the king's person, and taking the place of some great man, which did not become you, and be forced down to a lower place, to your great mortification;

and the more, as this will be in the presence of the prince you had the curiosity of seeing, and the ambition of making yourself acceptable to, by a gay and splendid appearance; and now with great disgrace turned out of his presence, or at least driven to a great distance from him.

Our Lord seems to refer to this passage, in (Luke 14:8–10) .