Proverbs 27:11

11 ¹Be wise, ²my son, and ³make my heart glad, that I may ⁴answer him who reproaches me.

Proverbs 27:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:11

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad
That is, show thyself to be a wise man by thy words and actions; endeavour to get a good share of wisdom and knowledge, and make a good use of it, and that will rejoice my heart; as nothing more gladdens the heart of a parent than the wisdom and prudent behaviour of his son; see ( Proverbs 10:1 ) ( Proverbs 23:15 Proverbs 23:24 Proverbs 23:25 ) ;

that I may answer him that reproacheth me;
with begetting a foolish son, or a wicked man; or making him such by ill examples; or through neglect of education; or by using too much severity in it.

Proverbs 27:11 In-Context

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

13 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.

Cross References

• 1. 27:11 ch. 6:6
• 2. 27:11 ch. 10:1; 23:15, 24
• 3. 27:11 See ch. 29:3
• 4. 27:11 Ps. 119:42; [Ps. 127:5]