Proverbs 20:14 kjv

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Proverbs 20:14 nkjv

"It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

Proverbs 20:14 niv

"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer? then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

Proverbs 20:14 esv

"Bad, bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.

Proverbs 20:14 nlt

The buyer haggles over the price, saying, "It's worthless,"
then brags about getting a bargain!

Proverbs 20 verses

Proverbs 20 14 Meaning

Proverbs 20:14 reveals a common human tendency towards deceptive dealings in commerce. It describes a buyer who cunningly disparages an item, loudly declaring it "worthless" or "bad" in front of the seller to negotiate a lower price. However, once the purchase is made and the buyer has departed with the item, that same individual reverses their posture, boasting about the shrewd bargain they struck or the valuable item they acquired so cheaply. The verse exposes the hypocrisy and deceit inherent in such a transaction, highlighting a lack of integrity driven by the desire for personal gain at another's expense. It subtly condemns manipulative speech and the pride derived from unethical advantage.

Proverbs 20 14 Context

Proverbs chapter 20 is part of the "Proverbs of Solomon" (chapters 10-22:16), which is a collection of diverse wisdom sayings. These proverbs often address practical matters of daily life, ethical conduct, and the consequences of wise or foolish choices. The chapter features themes of justice, honesty in commerce (e.g., against dishonest weights and measures, Prov 20:10), the dangers of wine (Prov 20:1), and the importance of integrity in leadership and personal relationships. Proverbs 20:14 fits seamlessly within this practical wisdom, illustrating a common social deception and implicitly advocating for transparency and honesty in transactions, reinforcing the broader message of integrity woven throughout the Book of Proverbs. This particular verse would resonate with an agrarian and commercial society where bartering and personal negotiation were common. It acts as a warning or observation of human nature often encountered in marketplaces of ancient Israel.

Proverbs 20 14 Word analysis

• 'It is naught, it is naught': (רַע רַע - ra' ra') The repetition intensifies the disparagement, meaning "bad, bad," "worthless, worthless," or "no value, no value." This is not a factual assessment but a manipulative declaration used to devalue an item during negotiation. It is a verbal tactic to gain an unfair advantage, rooted in deceit. The use of this specific Hebrew phrase underscores the vehemence and deliberate intent of the buyer.
• saith: (אָמַר - 'amar) To say, to speak. This emphasizes the deliberate, voiced falsehood. The buyer actively articulates the lie.
• the buyer: (קוֹנֶה - qoneh) The one who purchases, acquires, or gets possession. This identifies the actor and highlights that this common deceit occurs in transactional relationships. The Hebrew root implies one who 'obtains'.
• but when he is gone his way: (וְאָזָל לוֹ - v'azal lo) Literally, "and he has gone for himself" or "he has departed to him." This phrase signifies the completion of the transaction and the buyer's removal from the immediate context of the seller. The deal is sealed, and the immediate risk of the seller reclaiming the item or correcting the price is removed. This departure enables the boasting without immediate confrontation.
• then he boasteth: (אָז יִתְפָּאֵר - 'az yitpa'er) This implies self-exaltation, glorifying oneself, or bragging. The boasting stems from a sense of cleverness or shrewdness in having outsmarted the seller or secured an exceptionally good deal through deception. It reveals a spirit of pride in one's manipulative abilities rather than in righteous gain.

Words-group analysis:

• 'It is naught, it is naught,' saith the buyer: This phrase encapsulates the deceptive speech act. It reveals a strategy of verbal manipulation designed to lower the price. The repetition underscores the buyer's emphatic (and dishonest) pretense. It showcases a public performance intended to create a perception of low value where high value might exist.
• but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth: This highlights the hypocrisy and the prideful outcome of the deception. The change in location signifies the safety and privacy where the buyer feels free to boast, indicating that the initial disparagement was disingenuous. This sequence reveals the full extent of the unethical act: calculated deception followed by self-congratulation, showing no remorse or conviction of wrongdoing. The "going away" is crucial, separating the lie from the boast.

Proverbs 20 14 Bonus section

The observation in Proverbs 20:14 applies not only to direct commerce but also illustrates a broader principle of human deceitfulness where one's public pronouncements differ sharply from private assessments, especially when personal gain is involved. It speaks to the human capacity for hypocrisy and the subtle forms of manipulation. This deceptive behavior stems from a heart that prioritizes personal gain over truthfulness, a fundamental issue addressed by biblical teachings on inner purity and sincerity. The wisdom of this proverb is timeless, describing a transactional flaw in human nature that continues to manifest in various forms of negotiation and valuation today, implicitly reminding believers to "walk in truth."

Proverbs 20 14 Commentary

Proverbs 20:14 is a keen observation on human nature, specifically the temptation to gain an advantage through deceptive means in the marketplace. It unmasks the hypocrisy of disparaging a good item ("It is naught, it is naught") only to boast about its value once purchased cheaply and out of sight. This wisdom teaching highlights that such actions, though seemingly shrewd or cunning from a worldly perspective, are condemned by divine standards of honesty and integrity. It aligns with God's clear instruction against false measures, lying, and dishonest gain found throughout the Bible. The "boasting" indicates not merely satisfaction with a good deal, but rather a prideful self-congratulation rooted in the success of the deceit itself. This proverb warns against being the deceiver, urging for genuine transparency and fairness, and perhaps also encourages prudence in not being easily manipulated.