Proverbs 12:23
New International Version
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

New Living Translation
The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.

English Standard Version
A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Berean Standard Bible
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

King James Bible
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

New King James Version
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

New American Standard Bible
A prudent person conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

NASB 1995
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

NASB 1977
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Legacy Standard Bible
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Amplified Bible
A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time], But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.

Christian Standard Bible
A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

American Standard Version
A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
A cunning man is a seat of knowledge, and the heart of fools proclaims evil.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

Contemporary English Version
Be sensible and don't tell everything you know--only fools spread foolishness everywhere.

Douay-Rheims Bible
A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.

English Revised Version
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A sensible person [discreetly] hides knowledge, but foolish minds preach stupidity.

Good News Translation
Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

International Standard Version
A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself, but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.

JPS Tanakh 1917
A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Literal Standard Version
A prudent man is concealing knowledge, | And the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Majority Standard Bible
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

New American Bible
The shrewd conceal knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim folly.

NET Bible
The shrewd person conceals knowledge, but foolish people publicize folly.

New Revised Standard Version
One who is clever conceals knowledge, but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.

New Heart English Bible
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

Webster's Bible Translation
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

World English Bible
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

Young's Literal Translation
A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. 24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.…

Cross References
Proverbs 10:14
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.


Treasury of Scripture

A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

prudent

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

but

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 10:3,12-14
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool…

Jump to Previous
Clear Concealeth Conceals Folly Foolish Foolishness Fools Heart Hearts Keeps Makes Proclaim Proclaimeth Proclaims Prudent Sharp
Jump to Next
Clear Concealeth Conceals Folly Foolish Foolishness Fools Heart Hearts Keeps Makes Proclaim Proclaimeth Proclaims Prudent Sharp
Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














(23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge.--Till the right opportunity for bringing it forth presents itself; while "the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness," cannot help blurting out and displaying its ignorance and folly, which it mistakes for wisdom.

Verse 23. - A prudent man concealeth knowledge (ver. 16; Proverbs 10:14). He is not wont to utter unadvisedly what he knows, but waits for fitting opportunity, either from humility or wise caution. Of course, in some cases reticence is sinful. The LXX., reading the passage differently, renders, "A prudent man is the seat of intelligence (θρόνος αἰσθήσεως)." The heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness (Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2). A foolish man cannot help exposing the stupid ideas that arise in his mind, which he considers wisdom. Septuagint, "The heart of fools shall meet with curses."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A shrewd
עָ֭רוּם (‘ā·rūm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6175: Crafty, shrewd, sensible

man
אָדָ֣ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

keeps
כֹּ֣סֶה (kō·seh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

his knowledge {to himself},
דָּ֑עַת (dā·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847: Knowledge

but a foolish
כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים (kə·sî·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

heart
וְלֵ֥ב (wə·lêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

proclaims
יִקְרָ֥א (yiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

its folly.
אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ (’iw·we·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness


Links
Proverbs 12:23 NIV
Proverbs 12:23 NLT
Proverbs 12:23 ESV
Proverbs 12:23 NASB
Proverbs 12:23 KJV

Proverbs 12:23 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 12:23 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 12:23 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 12:23 French Bible
Proverbs 12:23 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:22
Top of Page
Top of Page