Proverbs 14:17 kjv

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:17 nkjv

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Proverbs 14:17 niv

A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

Proverbs 14:17 esv

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:17 nlt

Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 17 Meaning

Proverbs 14:17 conveys a dual warning concerning two types of harmful individuals. Firstly, it states that a person prone to sudden anger and impatience will act unwisely, resulting in foolish deeds. Secondly, it highlights that someone who habitually concocts evil schemes and malicious plots will ultimately incur hatred and rejection. The verse underlines that both impulsiveness and premeditated wickedness lead to detrimental outcomes for the individual.

Proverbs 14 17 Context

Proverbs 14 is rich with antithetical parallels, contrasting the path of wisdom and righteousness with that of folly and wickedness. It covers various aspects of life, including the home, justice, work, relationships, and the fear of the Lord. Verse 17 fits perfectly into this pattern by presenting two distinct character types, each illustrating a failure to live wisely and their resulting negative outcomes. The first part highlights a lack of emotional self-control, leading to foolish actions. The second part speaks of a moral depravity—deliberately concocting evil—which incurs social aversion. Historically and culturally, Israelite wisdom literature, like Proverbs, aimed to equip individuals with practical, God-honoring principles for a flourishing life, often presenting consequences as direct results of one's choices, thus challenging impulsive or malicious behaviors common in society.

Proverbs 14 17 Word analysis

• He that is soon angry (קְצַר-אַף - qetsar-'aph):

  • qetsar (קָצַר) means "short," indicating a short fuse or limited patience.
  • 'aph (אַף) literally means "nose" or "nostril," but is commonly used idiomatically for "anger" because the nose flares during rage.
  • Significance: This term describes a person whose characteristic disposition is impatience and quick temper, implying a lack of self-control.

• dealeth foolishly (יַעֲשֶׂה אִוֶּלֶת - ya'aseh 'ivveleth):

  • ya'aseh (עָשָׂה) means "to do" or "to act."
  • 'ivveleth (אִוֶּלֶת) means "foolishness" or "folly," which in Proverbs often carries a moral and spiritual connotation, not just a lack of intelligence.
  • Significance: Impulsive anger is not merely an emotion but directly results in tangible actions that are devoid of wisdom and are often detrimental.

• and a man of wicked devices (וְאִישׁ מְזִמּוֹת רָשָׁע - ve'ish mezimôt rashā'):

  • 'ish (אִישׁ) simply means "man."
  • mezimôt (מְזִמּוֹת) means "plans," "purposes," or "devices." While sometimes used positively (e.g., plans of wisdom), in contexts with rasha, it implies evil or malicious designs.
  • rashā' (רָשָׁע) means "wicked" or "unrighteous," here qualifying the "devices."
  • Significance: This describes someone who intentionally and cunningly plots evil. Unlike the sudden anger, this refers to deliberate and premeditated wrongdoing.

• is hated (יִשָּׂנֵא - yiśśānē'):

  • śānē' (שָׂנֵא) means "to hate" or "to despise." The form here indicates a passive sense: he is hated.
  • Significance: The natural and inevitable consequence of scheming evil is to be reviled, both by fellow humans and, implicitly, by God.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • The verse presents a juxtaposition of two character flaws and their respective negative consequences. The first describes a man of impulsive emotional reaction (anger leading to folly), while the second describes a man of premeditated intellectual evil (wicked devices leading to hatred).
  • The first part, "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly," highlights a lack of self-control and wisdom in immediate response. It underscores that anger short-circuits rational thought, leading to irrational and imprudent behavior.
  • The second part, "and a man of wicked devices is hated," points to the deeper, more deliberate nature of wickedness. It is not spontaneous but planned, and such malevolent scheming earns profound disdain and social alienation.
  • Both halves collectively emphasize that both unbridled passions and calculating malice are pathways away from true wisdom and towards a diminished and scorned existence.

Proverbs 14 17 Bonus section

This proverb emphasizes both internal disposition (quick temper, evil devices in the heart) and their external manifestation (foolish action, being hated). It underscores that one's inner world invariably shapes one's outer reality and consequences. The "hatred" is not only societal rejection but reflects God's own abhorrence of evil. While one type of folly (anger) can be sudden, the other (evil devices) is a more profound, deliberate perversion of the heart's true purpose, illustrating the depth and variety of behaviors wisdom seeks to correct and guide away from.

Proverbs 14 17 Commentary

Proverbs 14:17 serves as a practical warning against two destructive personal traits. Firstly, a quick temper—being "soon angry"—is directly linked to foolish action. This isn't just about feeling anger, but allowing it to dictate one's behavior, leading to decisions and actions lacking sound judgment. Such impulsive reactions often create greater problems than they solve. Secondly, the verse exposes the plight of one who harbors "wicked devices"—those who inwardly conceive and plot evil. While the quick-tempered person errs impulsively, the man of evil devices engages in calculated malevolence. Both paths lead to negative outcomes: the former to foolishness and the latter to being despised. The wise person, in contrast, cultivates patience and fills their mind with righteous intentions, thus avoiding the pitfalls of both uncontrolled wrath and deliberate malice. For example, uncontrolled anger can ruin a marriage in a moment of outburst, or cost someone their job. Similarly, an individual who plots revenge will find themselves isolated and condemned when their true intentions are revealed.