Proverbs 10:14
ESV
The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
NIV
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
NASB
Wise people store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
CSB
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.
NLT
Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
KJV
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
NKJV
Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
What does Proverbs 10:14 mean?
A key aspect of wisdom is preparation: the pursuit of what's needed before hardship or crisis are at hand (Proverbs 4:20–21; 10:5). Those who sincerely seek truth and wisdom will seek to understand God's will (Proverbs 1:7) so they are ready for life's challenges (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Further, the person with a storehouse of wisdom has good advice to give others when the occasion calls for it (Proverbs 11:14).James 1:5 promises that God will supply wisdom to those who ask in faith for it so they may understand the purpose of their trials. This makes humility a key aspect of "storing up" wisdom, which can elude a person even if their education is admirable. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 1:20: "Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?" Although Jesus' disciples lacked a formal education, they were wise, because they knew Christ and preached the gospel clearly. When they represented Christ at a meeting of the Jewish council, the council members were astonished, because they realized the disciples were "uneducated, common men," but "they recognized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
Those who prefer to spend their efforts resisting wisdom (Proverbs 10:17) or hating those who offer it (Proverbs 9:7–8) tend to arrogantly chatter while bringing their own downfall even closer.
