For better it is 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.
For better (it is) that it be said unto thee, Come up hither (quoted in Luke 14:8-10 ) than ... be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. - i:e., whom thou hast placed thyself unduly so near as familiarly to see him. The nearer thou wast to him (by thine arrogance) the greater the disgrace of being put far from him, he looking on. Kings in the East separate themselves far from even those whom they admit into their presence.