Proverbs 15:21

21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.

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 ) .


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 the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.
22 Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.