Proverbs 15:22

22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

Proverbs 15:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed
If a man determines and resolves upon a matter, and at once hastily and precipitately goes about it, without mature deliberation, without consulting with himself, and taking the advice of others in forming a scheme to bring about his designs, it generally comes to nothing; see ( Luke 14:28-32 ) ; or "without a secret" ^F19 without keeping one; if a man divulges his intentions, it is much if they are not frustrated; so the Targum,

``vain are the thoughts (or designs) where there is no secret;''

if a man makes no secret of what he designs to do, he is easily counterworked, and his purposes disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established;
his purposes are, as in ( Proverbs 20:18 ) ; having the advice of others, and these many, he is confirmed that he is right in what he has thought of and purposed to do; and therefore goes about it with the greater spirit and cheerfulness, and is most likely to succeed, and generally does; see ( Proverbs 11:14 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 (dwo Nyab) "in non secreto", Montanus; "cum non sit secretum", Baynus; "quum nullum est arcanum", Schultens; "ubi non est secretum", Cocceius.

Proverbs 15:22 In-Context

20 A wise son gladdens father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.

21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.

22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

23 A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common .

24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.