Proverbs 18:2

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

Proverbs 18:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:2

A fool hath no delight in understanding
In natural understanding, and in the improvement of his mind in it; he delights not in books, nor in the conversation of men of learning and sense: or in spiritual understanding, in the understanding of spiritual things; these are foolishness to a natural man; nor does he delight in reading the Scriptures, nor in hearing the word, and attendance on it in the house of God, but is weary of such exercises; but that his heart may discover itself;
and the folly that is in it: such men only desire to have some knowledge and understanding, to make a show of it, that they may be thought to be wise, and to be capable of talking of things as if they understood them, when it is only to the exposing of themselves and their ignorance; some persons attain to no more learning and knowledge than just to be capable to show that they are fools. Or, "but in the discovery of his heart" ^F11; he delights in discovering that; not the wisdom, but the folly that is in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (wbl twlgthb Ma yk) "sed in patefacere cor ejus", Vatablus; "sed in detectione cordis sui", Piscator; "sed sane ut enudet cor suum", Schultens.

Proverbs 18:2 In-Context

1 Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.