New International Version
Proverbs 12:23
23The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Proverbs 12:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
Context of Proverbs 12:23
21No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. 24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. 25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:23 word by word
אָדָ֣ם עָ֭רוּם כֹּ֣סֶה דָּ֑עַת וְלֵ֥ב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים יִקְרָ֥א אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:23
- Proverbs 10:19Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
- Proverbs 11:13A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
- Proverbs 13:16All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
- Ecclesiastes 10:3Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23A prudent man concealeth knowledge - "If a fool hold his peace he may pass for a wise man." I have known men of some learning, so intent on immediately informing a company how well cultivated their minds were, that they have passed either for insignificant pedants or stupid asses.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. concealeth--by his modesty (Pr 10:14; 11:13). heart ... proclaimeth--as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec 10:3).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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