A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
Parallel translations
- KJV A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
- BSB A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
- 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 of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
- Jas 1:19So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
- Prov 10:12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
- Prov 17:9He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
- Prov 25:28Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
- Prov 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- Prov 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
- 1 Kgs 19:1–2Ahab told Jezebel all 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 rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
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.