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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

Context of Proverbs 15:14

12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. 13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

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 1:5let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
• Proverbs 9:9Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
• 1 Kings 3:6Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
• Psalms 119:97Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
• Acts 17:11Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
• 2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
• Proverbs 12:23The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
• Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
• Isaiah 44:20Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
• Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil 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