Proverbs 17:21

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

Proverbs 17:21 in Other Translations

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.

21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

21 The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.

21 It is sad to have a foolish child. The parents of a foolish person have no joy.

Proverbs 17:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:21

He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow
As it proves in the issue; though it was joy to him when a man child was born, and took delight in him while in infancy and childhood, and promised himself much happiness in him when at years of discretion; but, instead of that, he departs from his education principles, despises all parental counsels and advice, and goes into all the extravagance of sin and folly; which is an heartbreaking to his godly and religious parents; for this is to be understood; not of an idiot, but of a wicked son, taking bad courses; and the father of a fool hath no joy;
in his son, but sorrow, and has scarce any joy or pleasure in anything else in all his enjoyments; the trouble he is filled with on his account embitters all he has, that he can take no satisfaction, or have any comfort of life; the concern for his son is uppermost in his thoughts, and hinders him from taking that pleasure which otherwise he might enjoy.

Proverbs 17:21 In-Context

19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.

Cross References

• 1. S Proverbs 10:1