Proverbs 23:9

9 In the ears of a fool do not speak, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 23:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:9

Speak not in the ears of a fool
For it is only beating the air, and speaking to the wind; it is casting pearls before swine, and that which is holy to dogs. By the "fool" is meant a wicked man, one abandoned to sin, and hardened in it; that scoffs at all admonitions and reproofs, that derides the word, and the preachers of it, and makes a mock at all good men, and everything they say; and therefore what is serious and sacred should not be said to them, since it only becomes the object of their banter and ridicule; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words;
not only the words of doctrine, reproof, and correction, but the "wisdom" of them; or let them be ever so wisely spoken; for if the wisdom of God and his words, the truths of the Gospel, are foolishness with such, and despised by them, then much more the wisdom even of the best of men, and the wisest things they say; yea, when they deliver the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, the Gospel of Christ, which therefore should be spoken among them that are perfect, ( 1 Corinthians 1:24 1 Corinthians 1:25 ) ( 1 Corinthians 2:6 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) .

Proverbs 23:9 In-Context

7 For, like hair in his {throat}, so it is. "Eat and drink!" he will say to you, but his heart will not be with you.
8 Your morsel you have eaten, you will vomit it up, and you will waste your pleasant words.
9 In the ears of a fool do not speak, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker, and on the fields of orphans do not encroach;
11 For their redeemer is strong, he himself will plead their cause against you.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.