A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Parallel translations
- WEB A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
- KJV A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
- NKJV A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
- NASB A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.
- NLT Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
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 spurns his father's correction, but heeding reproof shows prudence. Receiving correction is a mark of wisdom.
Overview
The proverb contrasts the fool who despises parental discipline with the prudent person who accepts reproof and grows. It upholds the value of correction within the family and beyond. Such teachability mirrors the believer's posture before God's loving discipline, which yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Prov 15:31–32He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Prov 13:18Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
- Prov 13:1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
- Prov 19:20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
- 1 Chr 28:20David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- Titus 2:15Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- 1 Chr 28:9As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Titus 1:13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
- 1 Chr 22:11–13Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.
- Prov 10:1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
- 2 Sam 15:1–6Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.
- Prov 1:23If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.
- Prov 6:23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
- 1 Sam 2:23–25“Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people.
- Prov 25:12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
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 15:5 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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