Proverbs 22:15

15 Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.^[a]

Proverbs 22:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child
That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart of a child, it is in him from his infancy; it is bound in his heart, it is rooted and riveted in him, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; it is what cleaves close to him, and he has a strong affection for and desire after: the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, ( Genesis 8:21 ) ; so that he is not easily brought off of sin, or becomes wise; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him;
the rod used by parents, for the correction of sin and folly, is a means of making children wise, and of restraining the folly that is bound up in them; and of reclaiming them from those sinful ways, which the folly of their hearts leads them to, and so in some measure of driving it far from them.

Proverbs 22:15 In-Context

13 The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the streets!"

14 The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.

15 Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.

16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich-both lead only to poverty.

17 Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 13:24; 23:13-14; 29:15