Proverbs 18:2

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:2

A fool hath no delight in understanding
In natural understanding, and in the improvement of his mind in it; he delights not in books, nor in the conversation of men of learning and sense: or in spiritual understanding, in the understanding of spiritual things; these are foolishness to a natural man; nor does he delight in reading the Scriptures, nor in hearing the word, and attendance on it in the house of God, but is weary of such exercises; but that his heart may discover itself;
and the folly that is in it: such men only desire to have some knowledge and understanding, to make a show of it, that they may be thought to be wise, and to be capable of talking of things as if they understood them, when it is only to the exposing of themselves and their ignorance; some persons attain to no more learning and knowledge than just to be capable to show that they are fools. Or, "but in the discovery of his heart" F11; he delights in discovering that; not the wisdom, but the folly that is in it.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (wbl twlgthb Ma yk) "sed in patefacere cor ejus", Vatablus; "sed in detectione cordis sui", Piscator; "sed sane ut enudet cor suum", Schultens.

Proverbs 18:2 In-Context

1 He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a righteous man of justice.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.