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Proverbs chapter 14

English Standard Version

1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. 2Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. 3By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. 7Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. 9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. 10The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. 16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. 21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. 23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. 26In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. 28In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. 29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. 30A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. 31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. 32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. 33Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 35A servant who deals wisely has the king 's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

What does Proverbs chapter 14 mean?

The first verses of this section point out the consequences of wisdom, in contrast to the consequences of foolishness. This echoes other statements in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:8–9; 11:8; 12:13; 13:6). Foolishness, defined as a rejection of God's truth and instruction (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 1:7) leads to disaster. It also makes a person vulnerable to further false ideas. Those who wallow in such self-deception should be avoided (Proverbs 14:1–10).

A short segment of verses in the middle of this passage share a theme: the respective fates of the wicked and the righteous. The deceptive nature of sin can make rejecting God seem like a good idea, but the end result is tragedy. Those who follow godliness are at less risk of negative earthly consequences. They are also blessed with an eternal rescue. In either case, that which a person chooses—selfishness or godliness—is repaid to them (Proverbs 14:11–14).

The last, final segment of this chapter covers a broad range of topics. Among these are the importance of self-control, the danger of gullibility, the need to apply justice fairly to all, the benefits of a contented heart, and the cultural value of godly wisdom (Proverbs 14:15–35).

The following chapter continues this long compilation of Solomon's wise sayings.
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Book Summary
Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.
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Chapter Context
Proverbs 14 continues King Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter he discusses a variety of topics such as wisdom and folly, honesty and dishonesty, righteousness and evil, national security and national disgrace, personal security and destruction, the fear of the Lord, generosity, and wise servanthood. This series of astute comments will continue for several more chapters.
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