Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
Parallel translations
- WEB Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
- KJV Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
- BSB Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
- NKJV Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.
- NASB Every prudent person acts with knowledge, But a fool displays foolishness.
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
The prudent act on knowledge, but fools put their folly on display. Wisdom shows itself in careful action.
Overview
A wise person weighs matters and acts deliberately from understanding, whereas the fool blurts out and exposes his foolishness for all to see. The contrast is between thoughtful self-governance and reckless self-exposure. Such prudence reflects the wisdom from above that is peaceable and considerate (James 3:17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
- Prov 12:22–23Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
- Eph 5:17Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Isa 52:13Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.
- 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.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
- Ps 112:5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
- 1 Sam 25:10–11Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days.
- Prov 21:24The proud and haughty man, “scoffer” is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
- 1 Cor 14:20Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- Matt 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- 1 Sam 25:25Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent.
- 1 Sam 25:17Now therefore know and consider what you will do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his house; for he is such a worthless fellow that one can’t speak to him.”
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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 13:16 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
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