Proverbs 15:14

Proverbs 15:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Context of Proverbs 15:14

12A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him; he will not consult the wise. 13A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.

Proverbs 15:14 word by word

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of him that hath understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• but the mouthפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• but the mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• feedethרָעָהrâ‛âh · to pastureH7462
• on foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:14

• Proverbs 1:5let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance —
• Proverbs 9:9Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more.
• 1 Kings 3:6And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.
• Psalms 119:97How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.
• Acts 17:11The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
• 2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
• Proverbs 12:23A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.
• Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions.
• Isaiah 44:20He feeds on ashes. His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot rescue himself, or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
• Hosea 12:1Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:14

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Our preference for knowledge or trivial things shows if we are pursuing wisdom or foolishness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:14

• Heart
• Knowledge
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings