Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Parallel translations
- WEB Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
- BSB Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
- ESV Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
- NKJV Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
- NASB Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, But a person of understanding walks straight.
- NLT Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
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.
Quick answer
The senseless person delights in folly, but the discerning walk a straight, purposeful path. It matters because what we take pleasure in reveals our wisdom or lack of it.
Overview
The proverb exposes how folly is actually enjoyable to those without sense, while the understanding person keeps a straight course. Sin is often pleasant to the foolish heart, which is precisely its danger. True wisdom finds its joy instead in walking uprightly, a path ultimately fulfilled in following Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Eph 5:15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
- Prov 10:23It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
- Prov 14:16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is 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.
- 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.
- Prov 26:18–19As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
- Prov 11:12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
- Prov 14:9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 15:21 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.