Proverbs 12:15 kjv
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 12:15 nkjv
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 12:15 niv
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 esv
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 nlt
Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
Proverbs 12 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:2 | All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. | Men often judge themselves favorably, but God discerns truth. |
| Prov 26:12 | Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | Self-proclaimed wisdom is worse than overt folly. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? | Human self-deception and internal bias. |
| Prov 3:7 | Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. | Warns against self-exaltation, urges humility and reverence. |
| Prov 1:5 | Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. | The wise always seek more instruction and understanding. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. | The power and necessity of diverse counsel for stability. |
| Prov 15:22 | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Strategic importance of seeking multiple perspectives for successful outcomes. |
| Prov 19:20 | Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. | Future wisdom is built upon present acceptance of guidance. |
| Prov 20:18 | Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. | Important decisions require consultation. |
| Prov 28:26 | Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. | Trusting self leads to folly, while heeding wisdom leads to salvation. |
| Isa 5:21 | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! | Condemns intellectual arrogance and self-sufficiency. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God... Claiming to be wise, they became fools. | Man's rejection of God's wisdom leads to profound foolishness. |
| Gal 6:3 | For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. | Self-exaggeration is a form of self-deception. |
| Tit 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray... | Acknowledges the past state of being foolish before receiving grace. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. | Encouragement to seek wisdom from God when it's lacking. |
| Jas 1:19 | Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. | Promotes an attitude of readiness to listen. |
| Jas 4:6 | But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Divine opposition to pride; favor for humility, essential for seeking counsel. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Call to humility, directly related to willingness to listen to others. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock... | Parable contrasting those who hear and act (wise) with those who hear but don't (foolish). |
| Luke 6:46-49 | "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?... | Distinguishes true adherence (listening and doing) from mere lip service. |
| 2 Tim 3:7 | always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. | Describes those who eternally seek but never grasp truth, possibly due to pride. |
| Heb 5:14 | But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. | Maturity involves discerning good from evil, often through wise guidance. |
Proverbs 12 verses
Proverbs 12 15 Meaning
Proverbs 12:15 succinctly contrasts two paths: the path of the self-deceived fool and the path of the prudent, wise person. It states that an unintelligent individual believes their own way is inherently correct, demonstrating an unwillingness to question their judgments or seek external input. In contrast, a discerning individual, recognizing their own limitations, actively seeks out and incorporates counsel and advice from others, showing humility and a desire for truth and growth.
Proverbs 12 15 Context
Proverbs 12 belongs to a larger section of practical proverbs (Prov 10-22) that present contrasting observations between the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. These verses are intended to teach discernment and prudent living through short, memorable statements. The historical context is ancient Israel, where wisdom was highly valued as a divine attribute and a practical skill for navigating life. For the original audience, wisdom often manifested in communal life and through listening to the instruction of elders, parents, and wise teachers. This verse stands as a stark contrast to any prevailing notion of isolated self-sufficiency, promoting dependence on community wisdom and, ultimately, God's instruction.
Proverbs 12 15 Word analysis
- The way (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): Implies one's chosen path, conduct, manner of life, or course of action. It refers to the entirety of how a person navigates their existence and makes decisions.
- of a fool (אֱוִיל, ʾĕwil): This specific Hebrew term for "fool" denotes someone who is not merely ignorant but stubbornly foolish, a person who despises or actively resists wisdom and instruction. They are morally and intellectually unresponsive to correction, preferring their own misguided judgment. This fool often boasts and is characterized by a hardened heart against knowledge.
- is right (יָשָׁר, yashar): Means straight, upright, correct, or pleasing. Here, it signifies "what seems correct or appropriate" subjectively to the individual. It's about self-perception of rectitude, not objective truth or moral alignment.
- in his own eyes (בְּעֵינָיו, bəʿênāw): Literally, "in his own eyes," this idiom indicates that the fool trusts solely in their personal judgment and internal assessment. It highlights the introspective, self-contained nature of their conviction, untouched by external input or self-reflection. It speaks to pride and a closed mind.
- but a wise man (חָכָם, chakham): This refers to a person possessing practical wisdom, skill, and discernment. They are attentive to divine revelation, understand human nature, and apply knowledge to make sound judgments. A chakham is characterized by humility and a teachable spirit.
- listens (שֹׁמֵעַ, shomeaʿ): More than merely hearing, this Hebrew verb implies an active, attentive listening that involves understanding, accepting, and intending to obey or apply what is heard. It denotes a willingness to be instructed and guided.
- to advice (לְעֵצָה, ləʿētsāh): Refers to counsel, guidance, or direction. It encompasses the collective wisdom derived from experience, discernment, or divine instruction, typically given by trusted individuals or sought from a multitude of counselors.
Words-group analysis:
- "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes": This phrase captures the essence of stubborn self-reliance and intellectual arrogance. The fool acts from an insulated viewpoint, devoid of objective assessment or external validation, believing their subjective path is flawlessly correct. It's a statement about self-deception and the inability to self-critique.
- "but a wise man listens to advice": This part provides the sharp contrast. It highlights humility, open-mindedness, and the continuous pursuit of growth. The wise person does not consider their own judgment infallible but actively seeks and weighs external input, understanding that collective wisdom or divine guidance is superior to isolated understanding. This demonstrates prudence and a commitment to truth over self-satisfaction.
Proverbs 12 15 Bonus section
The wisdom described in Proverbs is deeply rooted in the "fear of the LORD" (Prov 1:7), which implies an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and His revealed truth. Therefore, the "advice" that the wise person listens to ideally includes not only human counsel but, preeminently, divine instruction found in Scripture. The fool, by being right in his own eyes, implicitly elevates his judgment above any higher authority, including God's. This verse highlights that wisdom is not about being clever or accumulating knowledge for its own sake, but about the disposition of one's heart: is it closed in self-pride, or open to continuous learning and guidance from various sources, especially the ultimate Source of wisdom?
Proverbs 12 15 Commentary
Proverbs 12:15 exposes a fundamental divergence in human character: the self-assured delusion of the foolish and the receptive prudence of the wise. The "fool" (ʾĕwil) is not merely unintelligent but characterized by an active resistance to instruction, choosing to lean entirely on their flawed internal perception. Their way seems "right" because their pride blinds them to their own errors, creating a closed system of thought where self-validation is paramount. This state leads to persistent mistakes and moral compromise because the fool dismisses feedback essential for course correction.
Conversely, the "wise man" (chakham) embodies humility. They understand the limitations of their own perspective and actively "listen" (shomeaʿ) to counsel. This listening is not passive hearing but an active, teachable engagement with the guidance offered, signifying a readiness to learn, adapt, and correct their path. True wisdom isn't self-contained; it is gained and refined through external input, often from those more experienced, knowledgeable, or divinely enlightened. This willingness to receive ʿētsāh (advice) protects the wise from dangerous misjudgments and promotes growth and success in various life domains.
The verse is a profound lesson in humility. Spiritual wisdom, much like practical wisdom, demands a rejection of self-sufficiency. In a practical sense, it means being open to financial counsel from experts, career guidance from mentors, or health advice from medical professionals, rather than presuming one's own uninformed opinion is best. Spiritually, it underscores the need to be receptive to God's Word, the Holy Spirit's promptings, and godly counsel from mature believers, rather than solely trusting one's own fallible interpretation or desires. The path to growth, both secular and spiritual, is paved with listened-to counsel.