Proverbs 15:21 kjv
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Proverbs 15:21 nkjv
Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Proverbs 15:21 niv
Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
Proverbs 15:21 esv
Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
Proverbs 15:21 nlt
Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
a sensible person stays on the right path.
Proverbs 15 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:23 | Performing wickedness is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding... | Folly as joy for fools. |
| Prov 12:15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. | Fool's self-deception in his own way. |
| Prov 14:8 | The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. | Fool's path leads to deception. |
| Prov 17:10 | A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. | Fool's inability to receive instruction. |
| Prov 28:26 | Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. | Reliance on self leading to foolishness. |
| Prov 6:32 | He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. | Lacking heart leading to destructive sin. |
| Prov 7:7 | ...I discerned among the youths a young man lacking sense. | Identifying the one who lacks understanding. |
| Prov 19:8 | Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good. | Sense and understanding for one's good. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Foundation of true understanding. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... | Trusting God for straight paths. |
| Prov 4:11-12 | I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in paths of uprightness. | Wisdom guides to upright ways. |
| Prov 4:26-27 | Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve... | Making paths straight with understanding. |
| Ps 23:3 | He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. | Divine guidance on upright paths. |
| Ps 119:34-35 | Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart... | Understanding for keeping God's law uprightly. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | ...they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. | Foolishness from hardened hearts. |
| Rom 1:28 | And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind... | Debased mind embracing unrighteousness. |
| Eph 5:15-17 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. | Wise walk versus unwise living. |
| Col 1:9-10 | ...filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding... so as to walk in a manner worthy... | Understanding enabling worthy walk. |
| Jas 3:13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works... | Wisdom evident in good conduct. |
| 2 Pet 2:13 | suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime... | Finding pleasure in wickedness. |
| Isa 5:18 | Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and sin as with cart ropes... | Drawn to sin. |
| 1 Jn 1:6 | If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. | Walking uprightly as living truth. |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 21 Meaning
Proverbs 15:21 teaches that a person who lacks spiritual and moral understanding finds pleasure in foolish, senseless, or even wicked behavior. In stark contrast, an individual endowed with genuine wisdom and insight will consistently walk a path characterized by integrity, moral uprightness, and righteous conduct. The verse illustrates how one's inner disposition—the presence or absence of discernment—directly shapes their chosen pursuits and lifestyle.
Proverbs 15 21 Context
Proverbs 15 is a collection of contrasts, primarily distinguishing between the wise and the foolish, and the righteous and the wicked. It covers topics like speech, God's omniscience, the heart's disposition, humility, instruction, and the varying destinies of those who fear the Lord versus those who do not. Verse 21 fits seamlessly into this chapter's overarching theme by highlighting how inner character, specifically the presence or absence of discernment (the "heart" in Hebrew), directly influences one's choices and joy. Historically and culturally, ancient Israelite wisdom literature, like Proverbs, aimed to impart practical righteousness for daily living within a covenant community, often through sharp contrasts that clarify God's expectations and the consequences of deviating from them. It was meant to guide individuals towards a life pleasing to God, emphasizing that true wisdom is not mere intellectual prowess but a moral and spiritual disposition rooted in reverence for God.
Proverbs 15 21 Word analysis
- Folly (הֹו֫לֶלֶת - hôlēleth): Signifies foolishness, senselessness, irrationality, and sometimes outright madness. It denotes a state of being morally and intellectually vacant, leading to misguided choices.
- is joy (שִׂמְחָה - śimḥâ): This highlights not merely an indifference but an active delight or pleasure. For the "lacking heart," foolish behavior is a source of contentment or entertainment, indicating a corrupted value system.
- to him who is destitute of discernment (חֲסַר-לֵב - ḥasar-lēḇ): Literally "lacking heart." In Hebrew understanding, the "heart" (לֵב - lēḇ) encompasses the intellect, will, affections, and moral conscience. Thus, "lacking heart" implies a deficiency in wisdom, understanding, moral sense, and sound judgment. Such a person cannot correctly perceive good from evil or the long-term consequences of their actions.
- but (וְ - wə): A strong conjunction introducing a direct contrast, clearly delineating the two paths and their associated types of people.
- a man of understanding (וְאִישׁ תְּבוּנָה - wə’îš təḓûnâ): Refers to someone possessing true insight, practical wisdom, and spiritual perception. Tĕḇûnâ (understanding) implies the ability to comprehend, discriminate, and apply knowledge wisely to life's situations.
- walks (יְיַשֵּׁר-לָכֶת - yəyaššēr-lāḵeṯ): Implies one's habitual course of life, daily conduct, and moral journey. It denotes consistent action, not just momentary thought.
- uprightly (יְיַשֵּׁר-לָכֶת - yəyaššēr-lāḵeṯ): Literally "makes straight" or "straightens his way." It signifies moral integrity, rectitude, righteousness, and living in accordance with divine principles. The path chosen is free from deviance or crookedness.
Proverbs 15 21 Words-group analysis
- Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment: This phrase emphasizes that a deficient inner moral and intellectual state leads one to actively embrace and find satisfaction in foolish and detrimental ways of living. Their lack of insight prevents them from recognizing the destructive nature of their chosen paths, leading them to mislabel folly as desirable.
- a man of understanding walks uprightly: This contrasting phrase demonstrates that genuine insight and spiritual wisdom are not merely theoretical concepts but are manifested in a consistent life of moral rectitude and integrity. The wise individual's discerning "heart" guides their every step onto a righteous, unswerving path.
Proverbs 15 21 Bonus section
The contrast between the "destitute of discernment" (חֲסַר-לֵב) and the "man of understanding" (אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה) highlights the central role of the "heart" (לֵב) in Hebrew anthropology. The heart is the control center for all of life – thought, emotion, and will. To lack a heart or discernment is not simply to be ignorant but to be fundamentally deficient in moral compass and spiritual capacity, often implying a culpable rejection of wisdom. True wisdom is therefore not just intellectual knowledge but an integrated way of being that impacts one's values, desires, and ultimately, one's chosen path. The phrase "walks uprightly" is an active, ongoing process of choosing the straight and narrow path, a concept echoed throughout biblical teachings on discipleship and godly living. This Proverbs verse underpins the biblical principle that our inner spiritual condition fundamentally dictates our external actions and whether our life glorifies God or serves self.
Proverbs 15 21 Commentary
Proverbs 15:21 offers a profound truth about human nature and the source of moral behavior. It asserts that one's deepest orientation, whether characterized by discernment or its absence, determines both their inner delight and outward conduct. The individual "destitute of discernment" does not merely stumble into foolishness; they embrace it as "joy." This signifies a deep spiritual apathy or rebellion, where distorted values lead to pleasure in what is harmful, ungodly, or unwise. Their heart is unresponsive to truth, and therefore, their choices are continually errant. Conversely, the "man of understanding" is one whose mind and spirit are aligned with truth, allowing them to perceive right from wrong and choose paths that honor God and lead to true flourishing. Their walk is "upright," implying a life consistently guided by moral integrity, wisdom, and obedience to divine principles. This verse thus functions as a powerful call to cultivate genuine wisdom, reminding believers that the path of righteousness flows directly from a heart given to understanding and discernment. It urges self-examination: what brings us joy reveals the condition of our "heart" and the true trajectory of our lives.