Proverbs 13:20

20 Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.

Proverbs 13:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:20

He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise
Who is a companion of them that fear the Lord; converses frequently with them in private about spiritual and experimental things, and walks with them in public in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; he by those means grows wiser and wiser, gains a large stock of spiritual knowledge and experience; for this holds good both in natural and spiritual wisdom, a man of any capacity at all will improve by keeping wise company; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed;
the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "shall become like them"; be a fool as they are, and grow still more and more foolish. The Septuagint version is, "shall be known"; known by the company he keeps to be a fool also: or rather, "shall be broken" ^F20; ruined and destroyed, "evil communications corrupt good manners", ( 1 Corinthians 15:33 ) , and so bring to ruin and destruction.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (ewry) "conteretur", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus; "conquassabitur", Cocceius; "fragetur", Michaelis; "infringetur", Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 13:20 In-Context

18 Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed. But those who accept warnings are honored.

19 A longing that is met is like something that tastes sweet. But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.

20 Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.

21 Hard times chase those who are sinful. But success is the reward of those who do right.

22 A good person leaves what he owns to his children and grandchildren. But a sinner's wealth is stored up for those who do right.