The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Parallel translations
- WEB The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
- BSB The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- NKJV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
- NASB The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.
- NLT Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A fool thinks his own way is right, but the wise listen to counsel. Teachability distinguishes the wise from the fool.
Overview
This proverb contrasts the self-assured fool, certain of his own rightness, with the wise person who heeds advice. The willingness to receive counsel is a hallmark of true wisdom. Humbly listening rather than trusting our own judgment alone reflects the dependence on God and others that godly wisdom requires.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Prov 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
- Prov 14:16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- Prov 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
- Prov 19:20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
- Prov 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
- Prov 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Prov 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Prov 1:5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
- Gal 6:3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- Prov 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
- Prov 21:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
- Prov 30:12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
- Prov 26:16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
- Prov 28:11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
- Jer 38:15–28Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
- Eccl 4:13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 12:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.