Proverbs 15:22

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

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 ) .

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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 makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "are established"