Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- KJV Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- NKJV Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
- NASB Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
- NLT Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
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 wise keep wisdom in clear focus, while fools let their attention drift everywhere. Focused pursuit of wisdom contrasts with the fool's aimless distraction.
Overview
Wisdom is set 'before the face' of the understanding person, near at hand and the object of his gaze, while the fool's eyes 'wander to the ends of the earth,' chasing distant fancies. The proverb commends concentrated attentiveness to wisdom rather than restless distraction. Believers find this wisdom supremely in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3), to be sought and kept in view.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Eccl 2:14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.
- Eccl 8:1Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
- Ps 119:37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
- Prov 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
- Prov 23:5When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
- 1 Jn 2:16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
- Prov 15:14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
- John 7:17If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.
- Eccl 6:9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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 17:24 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.