Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:8
8The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
Proverbs 14:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
- New International Version (NIV)The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
Context of Proverbs 14:8
6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive. 7Stay away from a foolish person; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them. 9Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright. 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in its joy.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:8 word by word
חָכְמַ֣ת עָ֭רוּם הָבִ֣ין דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וְאִוֶּ֖לֶת כְּסִילִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:8
- Proverbs 2:9Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity — every good path.
- Proverbs 8:20I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
- Psalms 111:10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.
- Psalms 119:5If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes!
- Psalms 143:8Let me experience your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in you. Reveal to me the way I should go because I appeal to you.
- Ephesians 5:17So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
- 2 Timothy 3:15and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- James 3:13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
- Proverbs 11:18The wicked person earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.
- Jeremiah 13:20Look up and see those coming from the north. Where is the flock entrusted to you, the sheep that were your pride?
- Luke 12:19Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’
- Ephesians 4:22to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires,
- 2 Timothy 3:13Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Is to understand his way - Instead of הבין habin, to understand, הכין hachin, to Direct his way, is found in one MS. It makes a very good sense.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8The Hebrew counterpart to the Greek “Know thyself.” “The highest wisdom is for a person to understand his own way. The most extreme folly is self-deceit.” The word “deceit” may, however, involve fraud practiced upon others. The folly of fools shows itself then in their ceaseless effort to deceive.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 14
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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