A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
Parallel translations
- WEB A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
- 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 uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
- Jas 1:19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
- Prov 10:12Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
- Prov 17:9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
- Prov 25:28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
- Prov 16:22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
- Prov 14:33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
- 1 Kgs 19:1–2And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
- 1 Sam 20:30–34Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy 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.