Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
- KJV Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
- NKJV Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
- NASB Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
- NLT Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
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
Even a fool seems wise when he stays silent. Restraint of speech can conceal folly and is itself a kind of prudence.
Overview
This memorable proverb observes that silence can make even a fool appear discerning, since the mouth so often reveals folly (cf. v. 27). It gently commends thoughtful restraint to the wise and warns the foolish that speaking exposes them. The verse invites self-examination about our speech, reminding us that controlling the tongue is a mark of maturity (James 3:2) and a discipline befitting those who follow Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Job 13:5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
- Prov 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
- Eccl 10:14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
- Eccl 5:3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
- Eccl 10:3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
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 17:28 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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