God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 14:8
8The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life, but the stupidity of fools misleads 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 searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding. 7Stay away from a fool, because you will not receive knowledge from his lips. The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life, but the stupidity of fools misleads them. 9Stubborn fools make fun of guilt, but there is forgiveness among decent people. 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share 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 what is right and just and fair— every good course ⌞in life⌟.
- Proverbs 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice,
- Psalms 111:10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows ⌞God’s guiding principles⌟. His praise continues forever.
- Psalms 119:5I pray that my ways may become firmly established so that I can obey your laws.
- Psalms 143:8Let me hear about your mercy in the morning, because I trust you. Let me know the way that I should go, because I long for you.
- Ephesians 5:17So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we have not stopped praying for you since the day we heard about you. We ask ⌞God⌟ to fill you with the knowledge of his will through every kind of spiritual wisdom and insight.
- 2 Timothy 3:15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
- James 3:13Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Proverbs 11:18A wicked person earns dishonest wages, but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.
- Jeremiah 13:20Look up, and see those who are coming from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you—your beautiful sheep?
- Luke 12:19Then I’ll say to myself, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’
- Ephesians 4:22You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you.
- 2 Timothy 3:13But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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