Proverbs 17:24

24 Wisdom shineth in the face of a prudent man; the eyes of fools be in the ends of earth. (Wisdom shineth in the face of the prudent; the eyes of fools be upon the ends of the earth.)

Proverbs 17:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding
Is near him, to direct and assist him; it is before him as a rule to walk by, and it is the mark he aims at. A man of spiritual understanding has the book of wisdom before him, the Scriptures of truth, which are able to make a man wise to salvation; and he steers his course according to them; he sets Christ, the Wisdom of God, always before him; and keeps his eye on the mark for the prize, all the while he is running his Christian race: or, "in the face of an understanding man is wisdom" {a}; it is to be seen in his countenance, which is grave and composed; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth;
where wisdom is not to be found, it is far off from him; his mind is wandering after every object, is unsettled and unfixed to anything; and which may be discerned in his eyes, which are rolling about and turning, first one way and then another; and which shows the levity and inconstancy of his mind.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (hmkx Nybm ynp ta) "in facie prudentis (lucet) sapientia", V. L. so Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Piscator, Noldius, p. 140. No. 665. "in vultu intelligentis sapientia", Schultens

Proverbs 17:24 In-Context

22 A joyful soul maketh liking age (A joyful soul maketh a good life); a sorrowful spirit maketh dry bones.
23 A wicked man taketh gifts from the bosom, to mis-turn the paths of doom. (A wicked person accepeth secret gifts, or bribes, to pervert the course of justice.)
24 Wisdom shineth in the face of a prudent man; the eyes of fools be in the ends of earth. (Wisdom shineth in the face of the prudent; the eyes of fools be upon the ends of the earth.)
25 A fond son is the ire of the father, and the sorrow of the mother that bare him.
26 It is not good to bring in harm to a just man; neither to smite the prince that deemeth rightfully. (It is not good to harm the righteous; nor to strike the leader who ruleth rightfully.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.