Proverbs 12:23

Proverbs 12:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

Context of Proverbs 12:23

21No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. 22Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time], But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness. 24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor. 25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:23 word by word

אָדָ֣ם עָ֭רוּם כֹּ֣סֶה דָּ֑עַת וְלֵ֥ב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים יִקְרָ֥א אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A prudentעָרוּם‛ârûm · prudentH6175
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• concealethכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• but the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• proclaimethקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:23

• Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
• Proverbs 11:13He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
• Proverbs 13:16Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge, But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3Even when a fool walks along the road, his [common] sense and good judgment fail him and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23A prudent man concealeth knowledge - "If a fool hold his peace he may pass for a wise man." I have known men of some learning, so intent on immediately informing a company how well cultivated their minds were, that they have passed either for insignificant pedants or stupid asses.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. concealeth--by his modesty (Pr 10:14; 11:13). heart ... proclaimeth--as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec 10:3).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:23

• Heart
• Prudence
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Conceal
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings