A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
Parallel translations
- KJV A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
- BSB A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
- ESV A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
- NKJV A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
- NASB A prudent person conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
- NLT The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Prov 13:16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
- Prov 10:19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
- Prov 11:13One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- Prov 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
- Prov 10:14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
- Eccl 10:12–14The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
- Eccl 10:3Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
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 12:23 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
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