Proverbs 14:7

7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge.

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.
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 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 one who understands.
7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not find words of knowledge.
8 It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go, but the folly of fools misleads.
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy God's favor.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.