Proverbs 14:13 kjv

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Proverbs 14:13 nkjv

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.

Proverbs 14:13 niv

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

Proverbs 14:13 esv

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 14:13 nlt

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 13 Meaning

Proverbs 14:13 reveals a profound truth about the human experience: outward expressions of happiness, such as laughter and joy, can mask deep internal suffering, and ultimately, pleasure derived from fleeting worldly sources can lead to lasting sorrow. It serves as a cautionary insight into the deceptive nature of appearances and the transient satisfaction found in pursuits apart from true wisdom.

Proverbs 14 13 Context

Proverbs 14 stands within the broader collection of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), which primarily contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly, the righteous with the wicked, and the benefits of fearing the Lord with the consequences of ignoring Him. Verse 13 immediately follows Proverbs 14:12, which states, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." This juxtaposition is crucial, as it implies that the superficial laughter and joy mentioned in verse 13 are part of such a seemingly right but ultimately destructive path. The chapter frequently speaks of the contrasting destinies and true character of the wise and foolish, making 14:13 a specific warning against deceptive appearances and the futility of worldly contentment.

Proverbs 14 13 Word analysis

• Even in laughter (בְּשָׂחוֹק - bəśāḥôq):
  • שָׂחוֹק (śāḥôq): Root meaning related to "play," "laugh," "mock." While often used for genuine mirth (e.g., Ps 126:2), here the context implies a shallow, perhaps boisterous, or forced gaiety. It signifies an outward display of cheerfulness. It's the superficial manifestation, often unrelated to inner well-being.
• the heart (לֵב - lēḇ):
  • לֵב (lēḇ): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not just the organ, but the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and conscience – the very core of a person's inner being. It represents one's true, unobservable state. This emphasizes that what truly matters is one's internal condition.
• may be in pain (כְּאֵב - kəʼēḇ):
  • כְּאֵב (kəʼēḇ): Means pain, sorrow, grief, or distress. This is a deep, internal, and often profound suffering, contrasting sharply with the outward "laughter." It's not a temporary discomfort but an enduring ache of the soul.
• and the end (וְאַחֲרִיתָהּ - wə’aḥărîṯāh):
  • אַחֲרִית (ʾaḥărîṯ): Refers to the "end," "outcome," "latter part," or "consequence." This term points to the ultimate result or destiny, emphasizing the final state rather than the immediate one.
• of joy (שִׂמְחָה - śimḥāh):
  • שִׂמְחָה (śimḥāh): A common Hebrew word for joy, gladness, or rejoicing. Often positive (e.g., Ps 16:11), but here paired with śāḥôq and contrasted with yāgôn, suggesting a transient, possibly unholy or misplaced joy. It signifies the feeling or state that results from the śāḥôq.
• may be grief (יָגוֹן - yāḡôṅ):
  • יָגוֹן (yāḡôṅ): Signifies sorrow, grief, anguish, or affliction. This word carries a sense of deep, heavy, and lasting sadness, distinct from fleeting pain. It highlights a sorrowful finality.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Even in laughter the heart may be in pain": This phrase highlights the dichotomy between outward appearance and inner reality. It critiques the superficiality that can characterize human interaction, where one's public facade of cheerfulness can hide profound internal distress. It underscores that true well-being is not defined by external displays but by the condition of one's soul.
• "and the end of joy may be grief": This speaks to the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of joy pursued without wisdom or according to the world's dictates. Worldly pleasures often offer momentary elation but fail to provide lasting fulfillment, leading ultimately to sorrow, disappointment, or emptiness. It serves as a warning against putting one's hope or finding one's deepest satisfaction in anything but true wisdom and divine principles.

Proverbs 14 13 Bonus section

The proverb subtly reinforces a consistent biblical theme: true blessedness (or "happiness") is often found in paradox – through godly sorrow, meekness, humility, or even persecution, rather than through worldly merriment and material prosperity. This contrasts sharply with cultural views that equate happiness solely with outward success or constant positive emotion. The Hebrew understanding of the heart (lēḇ) as the holistic core of a person (intellect, emotion, will) amplifies the internal nature of pain or joy mentioned. The proverb also serves as an implicit polemic against philosophies or practices that promote hedonism or mere emotional gratification as the ultimate goal, instead pointing towards deeper, more lasting spiritual truths as the source of authentic and enduring contentment.

Proverbs 14 13 Commentary

Proverbs 14:13 serves as a sober warning against the deceitfulness of appearances and the fleeting nature of superficial pleasures. It tells us that what appears joyous on the surface can conceal deep anguish within, and that any joy built on temporal foundations, or derived from a lack of true wisdom, is destined to culminate in sorrow. This proverb encourages discernment beyond mere observation, reminding us that genuine well-being springs from an internal state rather than external show. True joy, in a biblical sense, is often associated with the fear of the Lord, righteousness, and a deep-seated peace that is not subject to changing circumstances, as opposed to the passing delights of this world which offer no lasting comfort when troubles arise. It subtly critiques the pursuit of empty mirth, implying that such a path, though seemingly right (as per Prov 14:12), inevitably leads to lamentation.