Proverbs 29:15

15 A rod and chastising shall give wisdom; but a child, that is left to his own will, shameth his mother.

Proverbs 29:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom
Are the means of giving wisdom to a child, reproved by its parent with the rod; and of driving out foolishness from him, and of making him wiser for the time to come; he shunning those evils for which he was before corrected, ( Proverbs 22:15 ) ; So the children of God grow wiser by the corrections and chastisements of their heavenly Father, which are always for their good; and he is a man of wisdom that hearkens to the rod, and to him that has appointed it, and learns the proper instructions from it, ( Micah 6:9 ) ; but a child left to [himself] bringeth his mother to shame;
a child that has the reins thrown upon his neck, is under no restraint of parents, but suffered to take his own way, is left to do his own will and pleasure; he does those things which his parents are ashamed of, one as well as another; though the mother is only mentioned, being generally most fond and indulgent, and most criminal in suffering children to have their own wills and ways; and so has the greater share in the shame that follows on such indulgences.

Proverbs 29:15 In-Context

13 A poor man and a lender met themselves; the Lord is [the] lightener of ever either. (A poor person and a lender met together; the Lord lighteneth the burdens of both of them.)
14 If a king deemeth poor men in truth, his throne shall be made steadfast [into] without end. (If a king judgeth the poor with honesty, his throne shall be made secure forever.)
15 A rod and chastising shall give wisdom; but a child, that is left to his own will, shameth his mother.
16 Great trespasses shall be multiplied in the multiplying of wicked men; and just men shall see the fallings of them. (Great trespasses shall be multiplied when the wicked rule; but the righteous shall see the falling of them.)
17 Teach thy son, and he shall comfort thee (and he shall be a comfort to thee); and he shall give delights to thy soul.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.