Proverbs 14:7

7 Stay away from a foolish man. You won't find knowledge in what he says.

Proverbs 14:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man
A wicked one; avoid him, shun his company, depart from him, have no fellowship with him, it, being dangerous, infectious, and hurtful; when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge;
when it is observed that his lips pour out foolishness, what is corrupt and unsavoury, unchaste and filthy; what does not minister grace to the hearers, nor is for the use of edifying, nor any ways improving in useful knowledge, but all the reverse: the Targum is,

``for there is no knowledge in his lips,''

in what is expressed by them; some understand this ironically, and render the words thus, "go right against a foolish man" ^F6; join in company with him, "and thou shalt not know the lips of knowledge", or learn anything by him; if you have a mind to be ignorant, keep company with a foolish man; so Jarchi and Gersom: or rather to this sense the words may be rendered, "go to a foolish man, seeing thou knowest not the lips of knowledge" ^F7, since thou dost not approve of wise and knowing men, whose lips would teach knowledge; and despisest the Gospel, and Gospel ministers the pope of Rome, as Cocceius on the text serves, and hear him, what his holiness and infallibility says; or some other false teacher.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (lyok vyal dgnm kl) "e regione viri stulti", De Dieu; so Gussetius, p. 495. and Schultens
F7 "Abi ut stes cora in viro stolido", Cocceius.

Proverbs 14:7 In-Context

5 An honest witness does not lie. But a dishonest witness pours out lies.

6 Those who make fun of others look for wisdom and don't find it. But knowledge comes easily to those who understand what is right.

7 Stay away from a foolish man. You won't find knowledge in what he says.

8 People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live. But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.

9 Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin. But honest people try to do the right thing.