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 ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble. 22Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord, but honest people are his delight. A sensible person ⌞discreetly⌟ hides knowledge, but foolish minds preach stupidity. 24Hard-working hands gain control, but lazy hands do slave labor. 25A person’s anxiety will weigh him down, but an encouraging word makes him joyful.

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 10:19Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 11:13Whoever gossips gives away secrets, but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.
• Proverbs 13:16Any sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he’s 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