Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 12:15–16

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12:15The way of a fool41 is right42 in his own opinion,43

but the one who listens to advice is wise.44

12:16A fool’s annoyance45 is known at once,46

but the prudent47 overlooks48 an insult.

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Footnotes

  1. 41 The way of a fool describes a headlong course of actions (“way” is an idiom for conduct) that is not abandoned even when wise advice is offered.
  2. 42 The fool believes that his own plans and ideas are perfect or “right” (יָשָׁר, yashar); he is satisfied with his own opinion.
  3. 43 Heb “in his own eyes.”
  4. 44 Or “a wise person listens to advice” (cf. , , , , ).
  5. 45 Heb “The fool, at once his vexation is known.” This rhetorically emphatic construction uses an independent nominative absolute, which is then followed by the formal subject with a suffix. The construction focuses attention on “the fool,” then states what is to be said about him.
  6. 46 Heb “on the day” or “the same day.” The fool is impatient and unwise, and so flares up immediately when anything bothers him. W. McKane says that the fool’s reaction is “like an injured animal and so his opponent knows that he has been wounded” (Proverbs [], 442).
  7. 47 Heb “shrewd.”
  8. 48 Heb “covers.” The verb כָּסָה (casah) means “covers” in the sense of ignores or bides his time. The point is not that he does not respond at all, but that he is shrewd enough to handle the criticism or insult in the best way—not instinctively and irrationally.

The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult.

Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The way of fools seems right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

Fools show their annoyance at once,

but the prudent overlook an insult.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,

but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

A fool’s displeasure is known at once,

but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.

Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

NLTNew Living Translation

Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to others.

A fool is quick-tempered,

but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes,

but he who listens to advice is wise.

As for a fool, on that very day he makes his anger known,

but he who ignores an insult is prudent.

Copyright 2012 Lexham Press

KJV 1900King James Version

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:

But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

A fool’s wrath is presently known:

But a prudent man covereth shame.

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