A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
Parallel translations
- WEB A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
- KJV A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- NKJV A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
- NASB A fool does not delight in understanding, But in revealing his own mind.
- NLT Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
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 cares nothing for understanding, only for broadcasting his own opinions. The foolish prize self-expression over genuine learning.
Overview
The fool takes no delight in understanding but only in airing what is in his own mind, eager to talk yet unwilling to listen. This proverb exposes the pride at the root of folly, which values being heard over being wise. By contrast, the wise are teachable, receiving instruction gladly, a humility supremely modeled by Christ and required of all who would follow Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- Prov 12:23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
- Ps 1:1–2Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
- Prov 17:16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
- Prov 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
- 1 Cor 8:1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- Eccl 10:3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
- Prov 1:22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Phil 1:15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
- 1 Cor 14:12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
- 2 Pet 2:15–19They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
- Matt 8:34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
- Num 24:15–16Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
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 18:2 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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