Proverbs 11:12

Proverbs 11:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
• New International Version (NIV)Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.

Context of Proverbs 11:12

10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. 13He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 14Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 11:12 word by word

בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנ֣וֹת יַחֲרִֽישׁ׃Read the interlinear

• He who despisesבּוּזbûz · to despiseH936
• his neighborרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• lacksחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• senseלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• But a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• of understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
• keepsחָרֵשׁchârash · be quietH2790
• silentחָרֵשׁchârash · be quietH2790

Cross-references for Proverbs 11:12

• Judges 9:27They went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trod them, and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.
• Nehemiah 4:2He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?”
• Psalms 123:3Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us, For we are greatly filled with contempt.
• Luke 16:14Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.
• Luke 18:9And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
• John 7:48No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?
• Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
• 1 Samuel 10:27But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.
• 2 Kings 18:36But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
• 1 Peter 2:23and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Commentaries on Proverbs 11:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12He that is void of wisdom - A foolish man is generally abundant in his censures; he dwells on the defects of his neighbor, and is sure to bring them into the most prominent view. But a man of understanding - a prudent, sensible man, hides those defects wherever he can, and puts the most charitable construction on those which he cannot conceal.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12None but the man “void of wisdom” will show contempt for those about him. The wise man, if he cannot admire or praise, will at least know how to be silent.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12Verse 12 A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. despiseth--or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise. holdeth his peace--as if neither hearing nor telling.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 11:12

• Pride
• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Poetry
• Profit
• Pursue
• Scatter
• Secret
• Smart
• Suretiship
• Surety
• Void
• Delight

Commentaries on Proverbs 11

• 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