Proverbes 12:23

23 L'homme prudent cache ce qu'il sait; mais le cœur des insensés publie leur folie.

Proverbes 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge
Of things natural or divine, which he is furnished with; not but that he is willing to communicate it, as he should, at proper times, in proper places, and to proper persons; but he does not needlessly and unseasonably speak of it; he does not make a show of it, or boast and brag of it: he modestly forbears to speak of what he knows, but when there is a necessity for it, even of that which may be lawfully divulged; which is a point of prudence and modesty; otherwise it is criminal to reveal secrets, or publish what should be kept private or should not be known. Aben Ezra interprets it of a wise man's hiding his knowledge in his heart, that he may not forget it; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness;
that which they have in their hearts and minds, and which they take for deep knowledge, profound and recondite learning, they proclaim with their mouths in a noisy and clamorous way; and while they declare their ill shaped notions, their incoherent and unconnected ideas of things, they betray their ignorance and folly, as ostentatious men do.

Proverbes 12:23 In-Context

21 Aucun malheur n'arrivera au juste; mais les méchants seront accablés de maux.

22 Les lèvres fausses sont en abomination à l'Éternel; mais ceux qui agissent sincèrement, lui sont agréables.

23 L'homme prudent cache ce qu'il sait; mais le cœur des insensés publie leur folie.

24 La main des diligents dominera; mais la main paresseuse sera tributaire.

25 Le chagrin qui est dans le cœur de l'homme, l'accable; mais une bonne parole le réjouit.