English Standard Version
Proverbs 15:14
14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
Context of Proverbs 15:14
12A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Read all of Proverbs 15Proverbs 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 the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
- Proverbs 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
- 1 Kings 3:6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
- Psalms 119:97Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
- Acts 17:11Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining 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. Amen.
- Proverbs 12:23A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
- Isaiah 30:10who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
- Isaiah 44:20He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
- Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries