Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
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.
- BSB A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction 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.
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 15:31–32The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
- Prov 13:18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
- Prov 13:1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
- Prov 19:20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
- 1 Chr 28:20David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of Yahweh’s house is finished.
- Titus 2:15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
- 1 Chr 28:9You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
- Titus 1:13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
- 1 Chr 22:11–13Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you.
- Prov 10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
- 2 Sam 15:1–6After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
- Prov 1:23Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
- Prov 6:23For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- 1 Sam 2:23–25He said to them, “Why do you do such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.
- Prov 25:12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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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
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.