Proverbs 29:20

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 29:20 in Other Translations

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

20 There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

20 Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

20 Have you met a person who is quick to answer? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

20 Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

20 Have you seen a man who speaks without thinking? There is more hope for foolish people than for him.

Proverbs 29:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:20

Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words
Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:2 ) ( James 1:19 ) ; or "hasty in matters" ^F24; in his business; runs rashly and precipitately into things, without duly considering within himself what is right and proper to be done, and without taking the advice of others; [there is] more hope of a fool than of him;
of one that has not the gift of elocution, or not so much sagacity in business, and yet takes time to think, and advises with others.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (wyrbdb Ua) "praecipitem in negotiis suis", Vatablus, Piscator; "in rebus suis", Mercerus.

Proverbs 29:20 In-Context

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 19:2; Proverbs 26:12; James 1:19