Proverbs 12:23

Proverbs 12:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 12:23

21No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. 24Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. 25Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:23 word by word

אָדָ֣ם עָ֭רוּם כֹּ֣סֶה דָּ֑עַת וְלֵ֥ב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים יִקְרָ֥א אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A prudentעָרוּם‛ârûm · prudentH6175
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• concealethכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• but the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• proclaimethקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:23

• Proverbs 10:19Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
• Proverbs 11:13A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
• Proverbs 13:16Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!

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

• Heart
• Prudence
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Conceal
• Proverb

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