Proverbs 14:1

1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 14:1 in Other Translations

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

1 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

1 Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home; Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick.

1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her house
Not only by her fruitfulness, as Leah and Rachel built up the house of Israel; but by her good housewifery, prudent economy; looking well to the ways of her household; guiding the affairs of her house with discretion; keeping all things in a good decorum; and bringing up her children in virtue, and in the fear and admonition of the Lord. So Christ, who in this book goes by the name of "Wisdom", or the wise woman, builds his house upon himself, the Rock; and all his people on their most holy faith, by means of the ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances: he guides and governs his house, where he is, as a Son in it and over it; and of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, taken care of, and wisely and plentifully provided for: and so Gospel ministers, who are wise to win souls, being well instructed in the kingdom of God; these "wise women" ^F25, so it is in the original text, or wise virgins; these wise master builders lay the foundation Christ ministerially, and build souls on it; and speak things to the edification of the church and people of God, and the building of them up in faith and holiness; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands;
the Vulgate Latin version adds, "being built"; this she does by her idleness and laziness; by her lavish and profuse way of living; by her negligence and want of economy; by her frequenting playhouses, and attention to other diversions; and so her family and the affairs of it go to wreck and ruin. Thus the apostate church of Rome, who is called a "woman", and may be said to be a "foolish" one, being a wicked one and a harlot; see ( Revelation 17:2 Revelation 17:3 ) ; pulls down the true church and house of God with both hands, as much as in her lies, by her false doctrines, and superstitious worship and idolatry; and by her murders and massacres of the saints, with the blood of whom she is said to be drunk; nay, not only pulls it down with her hands, but treads upon it with her feet, ( Revelation 11:2 ) . So likewise all false teachers do as this foolish woman does, by their impure lives and impious doctrines, defile the temple of God, subvert the faith of many; by means of whom the tabernacle of David, or house of God, is fallen down; the ruins and breaches of which Christ will repair in the latter day.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Myvn twmkx) "sapientes mulieres", Munster, Baynus; so the Septuagint and Arabic versions.

Proverbs 14:1 In-Context

1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

Cross References

• 1. S Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 24:3