Proverbs 15:14

Proverbs 15:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Context of Proverbs 15:14

12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise. 13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth and turmoil with it.

Proverbs 15:14 word by word

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of him that hath understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• but the mouthפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• but the mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• feedethרָעָהrâ‛âh · to pastureH7462
• on foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:14

• Proverbs 1:5(Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)
• Proverbs 9:9Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.
• 1 Kings 3:6Solomon replied, “You demonstrated great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served you faithfully, properly, and sincerely. You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.
• Psalms 119:97O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it.
• Acts 17:11These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.
• 2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.
• Proverbs 12:23The shrewd person conceals knowledge, but foolish people publicize folly.
• Isaiah 30:10They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!” and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us nice things, relate deceptive messages.
• Isaiah 44:20He feeds on ashes; his deceived mind misleads him. He cannot rescue himself, nor does he say, ‘Is this not a false god I hold in my right hand?’
• Hosea 12:1Ephraim continually feeds on the wind; he chases the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence. They make treaties with Assyria, and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:14

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Our preference for knowledge or trivial things shows if we are pursuing wisdom or foolishness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:14

• Heart
• Knowledge
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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