Proverbs 11:29

29 Whoever 1troubles his own household will 2inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Proverbs 11:29 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:29

He that troubleth his own house
His family, his wife, and children, and servants; by being bitter to the one, and by provoking the others to wrath, and continually giving out menacing words to the rest; or through idleness, not providing for his family; or through an over worldly spirit, pushing on business, and hurrying it on beyond measure; or through a niggardly and avaricious temper, withholding meat and drink, and clothes convenient for them; see ( Proverbs 15:27 ) ; or through profuseness and prodigality. Such an one shall inherit the wind;
nothing but vanity and emptiness; he shall come to nothing, and get nothing; and what he does, be shall not keep, and on which he cannot live; and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart;
he who has both got and lost his substance in a foolish way shall be so reduced as to become a servant to him who has pursued wise measures, both in getting and keeping what he has; and to whom perhaps the fool formerly stood in the relation of a master. Such a change will be with respect to antichrist and the saints, ( Daniel 7:25-27 ) .

Proverbs 11:29 In-Context

27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 15:27
  • 2. [Ecclesiastes 5:16]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.