Proverbs 15:21

21 Folly is joy to a fool; but a prudent man shall (ad)dress his steps. (Foolishness bringeth joy to a fool; but a prudent person shall direct his steps.)

Proverbs 15:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:21

Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom
Or "that wants a heart" ^F17, a wise and understanding one; by "folly" is meant sin, for all sin is folly; and that is very pleasing and joyous to a wicked he chooses it and delights in it; instead of being ashamed of it, and sorry for it, he glories in it, and makes his boast of it; and not only takes pleasure in committing it himself, but also in those that do it; see ( Proverbs 10:23 ) ; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly;
he who has his understanding enlightened by the Spirit of God; who has an understanding given him by the Son of God; who has a spiritual and experimental understanding of the Gospel, and the truths of it: he walks according to the rule of the divine word; he walks as he has Christ for an example, and by faith on him; and after the spirit, and not after the flesh: or "directs himself in walking" ^F18, his goings, as the Vulgate Latin version, according to the above rule, example, and guidance, by the assistance of the spirit and grace of God; otherwise it is not in man that walketh of himself to direct his steps, ( Jeremiah 10:23 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (bl roxl) "carenti corde", Montanus; "ei qui deficitur", Schultens.
F18 (tkl rvyy) "diriget seipsum ambulando", Montanus; "diriget ambulare, vel ad ambulandum", Vatablus; "diriget viam suam ad ambulandum", Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 15:21 In-Context

19 The way of slow men is as an hedge of thorns; the way of just men is without [thing of] hurting. (A lazy person's way is a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is without a cause of stumbling.)

20 A wise son maketh glad his father; but a fond man despiseth his mother. (A wise son maketh his father happy; but a fool despiseth his mother.)

21 Folly is joy to a fool; but a prudent man shall (ad)dress his steps. (Foolishness bringeth joy to a fool; but a prudent person shall direct his steps.)

22 Thoughts be destroyed, where no counsel is; but where many counsellors be, they be confirmed. (Plans come to naught, where there is no wise advice; but where there be many counsellors, the plans succeed.)

23 A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth; and a covenable word is best (but a suitable word is always best).