New King James Version
Proverbs 11:12
12He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.
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 Living Translation (NLT)It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
Context of Proverbs 11:12
10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. 13A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. 14Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:12 word by word
בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנ֣וֹת יַחֲרִֽישׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:12
- Judges 9:27So they went out into the fields, and gathered grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and made merry. And they went into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
- Nehemiah 4:2And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”
- Psalms 123:3Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
- Luke 16:14Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.
- Luke 18:9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
- John 7:48Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
- Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
- 1 Samuel 10:27But some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
- 2 Kings 18:36But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
- 1 Peter 2:23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries