Proverbs 14:8

14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

KJV

The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

What does Proverbs 14:8 mean?

Proverbs 14:8 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include חׇכְמָה (chokmâh), עָרוּם (ʻârûwm), בִּין (bîyn). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

The

wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh/khok-maw'/H2451wisdom (in a good sense)

the

prudentעָרוּםʻârûwm/aw-room'/H6175cunning (usually in a bad sense)

understandבִּיןbîyn/bene/H995to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand

his

way:דֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

but

the

follyאִוֶּלֶתʼivveleth/iv-veh'-leth/H200silliness

foolsכְּסִילkᵉçîyl/kes-eel'/H3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly

deceit.מִרְמָהmirmâh/meer-maw'/H4820fraud

Commentary on Proverbs 14:8

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 14:8

but the folly of fools is deceit. See here, 1. The good conduct of a wise and good man; he manages himself well. It is not the wisdom of the learned, which consists only in speculation, that is here recommended, but the wisdom of the prudent, which is practical, and is of use to direct our counsels and actions. Christian prudence consists in a right understanding of our way; for we are travellers, whose concern it is, not to spy wonders, but to get forward towards their journey's end. It is to understand our own way, not to be critics and busybodies in other men's matters, but to look well to ourselves and ponder the path of our feet, to understand the directions of our way, that we may observe them, the dangers of our way, that we may avoid them, the difficulties of our way, that we may break through them, and the advantages of our way, that we may improve them—to understand the rules we are to walk by and the ends we are to walk towards, and walk accordingly. 2. The bad conduct of a bad man; he puts a cheat upon himself. He does not rightly understand his way; he thinks he does, and so misses his way, and goes on in his mistake: The folly of fools is deceit; it cheats them into their own ruin. The folly of him that built on the sand was deceit. 9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Isaiah 58:2

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

Isaiah 58:3

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. labours: or, things wherewith ye grieve others: Heb. griefs

Isaiah 58:6

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? the heavy: Heb. the bundles of the yoke oppressed: Heb. broken

Lamentations 3:44

Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

Matthew 15:22

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Topics

Fool Prudence

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 14:8.

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. layeth: Heb. spreadeth

Deuteronomy 4:6

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Proverbs 14:18

The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 15:14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth

Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.