Proverbs 29:15

15 1The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself 2brings shame to 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 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Cross References 2

  • 1. See ver. 17
  • 2. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.