The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Parallel translations
- WEB The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
- BSB The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
- NKJV The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
- NASB The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
- NLT The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
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 gain wisdom by examining their own way, but fools deceive themselves with folly. Self-examination is the path of wisdom.
Overview
Wisdom involves honestly reflecting on one's own conduct and direction, whereas folly clothes itself in self-deceit. The proverb commends thoughtful discernment of one's path over the fool's flattering illusions. Scripture urges such honest self-examination before God, who alone searches the heart (Psalm 139:23-24).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Eph 5:17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
- 2 Tim 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
- Jas 3:13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- Col 1:9–10For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
- Ps 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
- Prov 11:18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
- Prov 2:9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
- Prov 8:20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
- Ps 119:73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
- Ps 119:5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
- Ps 119:34–35Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
- Luke 12:19–20And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
- Ps 143:8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
- Eph 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
- Jer 13:20Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
- 2 Tim 3:15–17And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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 14:8 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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