Proverbs 12:23 - A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Proverbs 12:23" mean?
Proverbs 12:23, "A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness," contrasts the behavior of wise and foolish individuals regarding their knowledge and understanding. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"A prudent man keeps his knowledge..." This part highlights the discreet and thoughtful nature of a wise person. They don't feel the need to broadcast everything they know. They understand the value of thoughtful consideration and appropriate timing.
Prudent: This refers to someone who is wise, sensible, and careful in their decisions and actions.
Keeps his knowledge: This doesn't mean hiding knowledge, but rather using it wisely and discerningly. A prudent person reflects on their knowledge, considers its implications, and shares it thoughtfully when it's beneficial. They don't just blurt things out without thinking.
"...but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness." This contrasts sharply with the wise person. A fool's heart is impulsive and lacking in judgment, leading them to readily share foolish or nonsensical things.
Hearts of fools: This emphasizes that the problem stems from the inner character and lack of understanding of the fool.
Proclaim foolishness: This suggests that fools readily and openly share their ignorance or folly. They are quick to speak without thinking and often say things that are embarrassing, hurtful, or simply wrong.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Wise people are thoughtful about what they say and when they say it. They understand that not everything needs to be shared, and that timing is crucial. They consider the impact of their words. In contrast, fools are impulsive and readily reveal their ignorance or lack of understanding through their careless and unrestrained speech.
Implications and Applications:
The Importance of Discernment: It encourages us to be discerning about what we say and to think before we speak.
Humility: It suggests that wisdom involves recognizing the limits of our knowledge and not feeling the need to always impress others.
Avoiding Gossip and Foolish Talk: It warns against the dangers of careless speech and encourages us to cultivate a habit of thoughtful communication.
Focus on Understanding: It indirectly advises to focus on gaining true understanding rather than just accumulating facts, as true understanding breeds prudence.
The proverb offers valuable advice for developing wisdom and avoiding the pitfalls of foolishness in our interactions with others. It emphasizes the importance of thoughtful communication and the value of considering the impact of our words.
Proverbs 12:23 - A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
What does "Proverbs 12:23" mean?
Proverbs 12:23, "A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness," contrasts the behavior of wise and foolish individuals regarding their knowledge and understanding. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"A prudent man keeps his knowledge..." This part highlights the discreet and thoughtful nature of a wise person. They don't feel the need to broadcast everything they know. They understand the value of thoughtful consideration and appropriate timing.
Prudent: This refers to someone who is wise, sensible, and careful in their decisions and actions.
Keeps his knowledge: This doesn't mean hiding knowledge, but rather using it wisely and discerningly. A prudent person reflects on their knowledge, considers its implications, and shares it thoughtfully when it's beneficial. They don't just blurt things out without thinking.
"...but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness." This contrasts sharply with the wise person. A fool's heart is impulsive and lacking in judgment, leading them to readily share foolish or nonsensical things.
Hearts of fools: This emphasizes that the problem stems from the inner character and lack of understanding of the fool.
Proclaim foolishness: This suggests that fools readily and openly share their ignorance or folly. They are quick to speak without thinking and often say things that are embarrassing, hurtful, or simply wrong.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Wise people are thoughtful about what they say and when they say it. They understand that not everything needs to be shared, and that timing is crucial. They consider the impact of their words. In contrast, fools are impulsive and readily reveal their ignorance or lack of understanding through their careless and unrestrained speech.
Implications and Applications:
The Importance of Discernment: It encourages us to be discerning about what we say and to think before we speak.
Humility: It suggests that wisdom involves recognizing the limits of our knowledge and not feeling the need to always impress others.
Avoiding Gossip and Foolish Talk: It warns against the dangers of careless speech and encourages us to cultivate a habit of thoughtful communication.
Focus on Understanding: It indirectly advises to focus on gaining true understanding rather than just accumulating facts, as true understanding breeds prudence.
The proverb offers valuable advice for developing wisdom and avoiding the pitfalls of foolishness in our interactions with others. It emphasizes the importance of thoughtful communication and the value of considering the impact of our words.