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 things go well for 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. One who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a person of understanding keeps silent. 13One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 14Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 11:12 word by word

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

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

Cross-references for Proverbs 11:12

• Judges 9:27So they went out to the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trampled them, and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.
• Nehemiah 4:2And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy people of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore the temple for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of rubble, even the burned ones?”
• Psalms 123:3Be gracious to us, Lord, be gracious to us, For we have had much more than enough of contempt.
• Luke 16:14Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were ridiculing Him.
• Luke 18:9Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
• John 7:48Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?
• Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.
• 1 Samuel 10:27But certain useless men said, “How can this one save us?” And they despised him and did not bring him a gift. But he kept silent about it.
• 2 Kings 18:36But the people were silent and did not answer him with even a word, because it was the king’s command: “Do not answer him.”
• 1 Peter 2:23and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, 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