Proverbs 14:7

7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

Proverbs 14:7 in Other Translations

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

7 Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.

7 Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.

7 Stay away from a fool, because you will not receive knowledge from his lips.

7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

7 Stay away from a foolish man. You won't find knowledge in what he says.

Proverbs 14:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man
A wicked one; avoid him, shun his company, depart from him, have no fellowship with him, it, being dangerous, infectious, and hurtful; when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge;
when it is observed that his lips pour out foolishness, what is corrupt and unsavoury, unchaste and filthy; what does not minister grace to the hearers, nor is for the use of edifying, nor any ways improving in useful knowledge, but all the reverse: the Targum is,

``for there is no knowledge in his lips,''

in what is expressed by them; some understand this ironically, and render the words thus, "go right against a foolish man" ^F6; join in company with him, "and thou shalt not know the lips of knowledge", or learn anything by him; if you have a mind to be ignorant, keep company with a foolish man; so Jarchi and Gersom: or rather to this sense the words may be rendered, "go to a foolish man, seeing thou knowest not the lips of knowledge" ^F7, since thou dost not approve of wise and knowing men, whose lips would teach knowledge; and despisest the Gospel, and Gospel ministers the pope of Rome, as Cocceius on the text serves, and hear him, what his holiness and infallibility says; or some other false teacher.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (lyok vyal dgnm kl) "e regione viri stulti", De Dieu; so Gussetius, p. 495. and Schultens
F7 "Abi ut stes cora in viro stolido", Cocceius.

Proverbs 14:7 In-Context

5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.