Proverbs 17:24

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 in Other Translations

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

24 The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.

24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

24 Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool [are looking around] all over the world.

24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool's eyes roam to the ends of the earth.

24 Anyone who understands what is right keeps wisdom in view. But the eyes of a foolish person look everywhere else.

Proverbs 17:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding
Is near him, to direct and assist him; it is before him as a rule to walk by, and it is the mark he aims at. A man of spiritual understanding has the book of wisdom before him, the Scriptures of truth, which are able to make a man wise to salvation; and he steers his course according to them; he sets Christ, the Wisdom of God, always before him; and keeps his eye on the mark for the prize, all the while he is running his Christian race: or, "in the face of an understanding man is wisdom" {a}; it is to be seen in his countenance, which is grave and composed; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth;
where wisdom is not to be found, it is far off from him; his mind is wandering after every object, is unsettled and unfixed to anything; and which may be discerned in his eyes, which are rolling about and turning, first one way and then another; and which shows the levity and inconstancy of his mind.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (hmkx Nybm ynp ta) "in facie prudentis (lucet) sapientia", V. L. so Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Piscator, Noldius, p. 140. No. 665. "in vultu intelligentis sapientia", Schultens

Proverbs 17:24 In-Context

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.

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 31:1; Ecclesiastes 2:14