New English Translation
Proverbs 14:8
8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.
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
6The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person. 7Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception. 9Fools mock at reparation, but among the upright there is favor. 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and with its joy no one else can share.
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 righteousness and justice and equity – every good way.
- Proverbs 8:20I walk in the path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice,
- Psalms 111:10To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever.
- Psalms 119:5If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes!
- Psalms 143:8May I hear about your loyal love in the morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way I should go, because I long for you.
- Ephesians 5:17For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- 2 Timothy 3:15and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.
- Proverbs 11:18The wicked person earns deceitful wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward.
- Jeremiah 13:20Then I said, “Look up, Jerusalem, and see the enemy that is coming from the north. Where now is the flock of people that were entrusted to your care? Where now are the ‘sheep’ that you take such pride in?
- Luke 12:19And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’
- Ephesians 4:22You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires,
- 2 Timothy 3:13But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.
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
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