Proverbs 10:14

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 10:14 in Other Translations

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

14 The wise accumulate knowledge - a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much - a sheer waste. The Road to Life Is a Disciplined Life

14 Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

14 Those who are wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool invites ruin.

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.

14 Wise people store up knowledge. But the mouths of foolish people destroy them.

Proverbs 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:14

Wise [men] lay up knowledge
Which they get by reading, prayer, meditation, hearing the word of God, and conversation with good men: this they lay up in their hearts, minds, and memories, that they may not forget it, and as a rich treasure they highly value it; that they may bring it forth at proper times, and on proper occasions, for the benefit of others; see ( Matthew 12:35 ) ( 13:52 ) ; or hide ^F6 it; conceal it; do not boast and brag of it, as foolish men do; but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction:
who rashly and unguardedly utters things which bring swift and sudden destruction on himself and others; or terror and consternation, as the word ^F7 also signifies. The Vulgate Latin version is, "but the mouth of the foolish is near to confusion"; he boasts of his knowledge, betrays his ignorance, and so brings himself to shame and confusion.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wnpuy) "abscondent", Pagninus, Montanus; "abscondunt", V. L. "occultant", Michaelis.
F7 (htxm) "terrorem accersit", Tigurine version; "consternatio propinqua", Cocceius; "terror", Vatablus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 10:14 In-Context

12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 12:23
• 2. S ver 6; S Psalms 59:12; S Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 18:6,7; S Matthew 12:37