New King James Version
Proverbs 18:2
2A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
Proverbs 18:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- New International Version (NIV)Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
Context of Proverbs 18:2
1A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:2 word by word
לֹֽא־יַחְפֹּ֣ץ כְּ֭סִיל בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֝֗י אִֽם־בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת לִבּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:2
- Proverbs 1:7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 17:16Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
- Psalms 1:1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
- Matthew 8:34And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
- Numbers 24:15So he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;
- 1 Corinthians 14:12Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
- Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
- 2 Peter 2:15They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2But that his heart may discover itself - It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own nonsense and emptiness. But this verse may be understood as confirming the view already given of the preceding, and may be translated thus: "But a fool doth not delight in understanding, though it should even manifest itself:" so I understand בהתגלות אם כי ki im behithgalloth . The separated person seeks…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Another form of egotism. In “understanding,” i. e., self-knowledge, the “fool” finds no pleasure; but self-assertion, talking about himself and his own opinions, is his highest joy.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries