Proverbes 22:3

3 L'homme bien avisé prévoit le mal, et se met à l'abri; mais les simples passent outre, et en portent la peine.

Proverbes 22:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:3

A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself
A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for sin; and he betakes himself to the Lord, to those hiding places and chambers of retreat and protection he has provided for his people, till the indignation be overpast; see ( Isaiah 26:20 ) ; but the simple pass on, and are punished:
foolish persons, devoid of the grace of God and the fear of him, go on careless and unconcerned in their sinful course of life, transgressing the law of God; they proceed from evil to evil, from lesser to greater sins; they go on in the broad road to destruction, and are punished with temporal judgments here, and with everlasting destruction hereafter.

Proverbes 22:3 In-Context

1 La bonne réputation est préférable aux grandes richesses, et une bonne estime à l'argent et à l'or.
2 Le riche et le pauvre se rencontrent; celui qui les a faits l'un et l'autre, c'est l'Éternel.
3 L'homme bien avisé prévoit le mal, et se met à l'abri; mais les simples passent outre, et en portent la peine.
4 Le fruit de l'humilité et de la crainte de l'Éternel, c'est la richesse, la gloire et la vie.
5 Il y a des épines et des pièges dans la voie du pervers; celui qui garde son âme, s'en éloignera.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.