Proverbs 11:12

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Proverbs 11:12 in Other Translations

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.

12 Mean-spirited slander is heartless; quiet discretion accompanies good sense.

12 He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a man with understanding keeps silent.

12 A person who has no sense makes fun of his neighbor. But a man who has understanding controls his tongue.

Proverbs 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:12

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour
Not only in his heart, but by giving him opprobrious language; he speaks contemptibly of him, either because he thinks he is wiser than his neighbour, and therefore calls him fool at every turn; as those who are most destitute of wisdom conceit they have the largest share of it, and despise others; or else because he is richer than his neighbour, as the poor is generally despised by the rich; or because he fancies he is holier than he, as the Pharisee who trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others: or a man "that wants a heart" ^F11, as it may be rendered; that wants a good one, or wants grace in his heart; he despises the counsel and advice, the admonitions and instructions, which his neighbour gives him for his good; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace:
and will not despise his neighbour, or give him ill language, because he is not so wise, or so rich, or so righteous as he; if he cannot speak any good of him, he will not speak evil of him; or he holds his peace, is silent, and will not answer the man void of wisdom, that despises and reproaches him; he will not render railing for railing; when he is reviled he will revile not again; and by so doing he shows himself to he a man understanding, or of intellects; a wise and prudent.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (bl rox) "carens corde", Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "destitutus est corde", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:12 In-Context

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 14:21
• 2. S Job 6:24