A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Parallel translations
- WEB A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
- KJV A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
- NKJV A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
- NASB A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
- NLT A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
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 shows his anger at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Wisdom restrains and rises above provocation.
Overview
The proverb contrasts the fool's immediate, unrestrained reaction with the prudent person who quietly overlooks an offense. Patience and self-control in the face of insult are marks of wisdom. This anticipates the call to forbearance and forgiveness that Christ both taught and embodied.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Prov 29:11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- Jas 1:19My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Prov 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
- Prov 17:9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- Prov 25:28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
- Prov 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
- Prov 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
- 1 Kgs 19:1–2Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
- 1 Sam 20:30–34Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the disgrace of the mother who bore you?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 12:16 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.