Proverbs 26:12 kjv
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 26:12 nkjv
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:12 niv
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Proverbs 26:12 esv
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:12 nlt
There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.
Proverbs 26 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:7 | Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. | Directly warns against self-wisdom. |
| Prov 28:11 | A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding sees through him. | Similar self-deception in the rich. |
| Isa 5:21 | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! | Prophetic warning against self-reliance. |
| Rom 12:3 | For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought... | Humility in self-assessment. |
| Rom 12:16 | Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. | Warning against being conceited. |
| 1 Cor 8:2 | If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. | True knowledge recognizes its limitations. |
| Gal 6:3 | For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. | Self-deception about one's worth. |
| Jas 4:6 | But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” | God's opposition to the proud. |
| Matt 23:12 | Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. | Principle of humility vs. pride. |
| John 9:40-41 | Some of the Pharisees... "Are we also blind?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains." | The danger of claiming sight while being spiritually blind. |
| Rev 3:17 | For you say, 'I am rich... and need nothing,' yet you do not know that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. | Laodicean church's self-deception. |
| Prov 9:7-9 | Whoever corrects a scoffer gets dishonor... Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser. | The wise accept instruction, fools do not. |
| Prov 13:10 | By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. | Pride leading to contention, humility to wisdom. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Universal consequence of pride. |
| Prov 17:12 | Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. | The inherent danger of a fool. |
| Prov 23:9 | Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. | Folly's rejection of wise words. |
| Prov 15:32 | Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. | Importance of receiving reproof. |
| Prov 12:15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. | Fool's self-reliance contrasts with the wise. |
| Isa 47:10 | You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, "No one sees me"; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." | Nation trusting its own wisdom, spiritual pride. |
| Ezek 28:17 | Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. | Satan/King of Tyre, corrupted by self-wisdom. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Call to humility in thought and action. |
| Jas 1:21 | Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. | Call to humble reception of God's Word. |
Proverbs 26 verses
Proverbs 26 12 Meaning
This proverb highlights a dangerous form of folly: self-righteousness and inflated self-perception. It posits that a person who considers themselves wise in their own eyes is in a more perilous spiritual and intellectual state than an outright fool. The reason for this dire assessment is that the self-proclaimed wise person is utterly impervious to correction, instruction, or even reality, as their own judgment is the ultimate authority for them. A fool, however difficult, still retains a greater potential for change or learning, often through painful experience or divine intervention, because they may eventually be confronted with their folly and recognize it, however reluctantly.
Proverbs 26 12 Context
Proverbs chapter 26 deals extensively with various aspects of foolishness, sluggards, and gossipers. It describes the character and futility of trying to deal with truly stubborn fools. This specific verse (Proverbs 26:12) stands out by introducing a category of person even more resistant to correction than the traditional "fool" (kesil) commonly addressed in Proverbs. It directly precedes several verses describing different types of "fools" and sluggards, making the distinction even more potent. Historically, wisdom was profoundly revered in ancient Israel, understood not merely as intellectual acumen but as practical living aligned with God's divine order. The emphasis on avoiding "being wise in one's own eyes" was a polemic against reliance on human reason apart from divine revelation and against the prevalent cultural temptation to elevate one's own insights above objective truth or communal wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 26 12 Word analysis
- Do you see (ra`ah - רָאָה): A call to keen observation and discernment. It implies that this type of person might not be immediately obvious, or their state is worth recognizing deeply.
- a man ('ish - אִישׁ): Refers to a specific individual, emphasizing the personal danger of this disposition.
- who is wise (chakham - חָכָם): Originally meaning skillful, expert, but here it's ironic. It's the appearance or self-assessment of wisdom, not true wisdom.
- in his own eyes (be`eynayv - בְּעֵינָיו): The critical qualifier. "In his eyes" refers to internal perception, subjective judgment, self-assessment, and personal conviction, without external validation or divine reference. It denotes a mind closed off by its own perceived intelligence.
- There is more hope (tiqvah - תִּקְוָה): Implies a greater possibility of improvement, teachability, or ultimately, redemption. The word means expectation or cord/rope, suggesting something to hold onto or pull from a dire situation.
- for a fool (l'khesil - לִכְסִיל): Refers to the kesil, a specific type of fool in Proverbs. This fool is obstinate, arrogant, despises instruction, and often morally deficient. While notoriously difficult to correct, the verse suggests they have some openness to change that the self-wise lack.
- than for him: This final comparison drives home the shocking reality: the one who believes themselves wise without external input is truly unreachable by rational persuasion or divine revelation because their perceived wisdom blinds them to any actual need for change or humility.
Proverbs 26 12 Bonus section
The kesil (fool) often acts out of ignorance or moral depravity, which can be addressed if the fool becomes teachable. However, the one "wise in his own eyes" suffers from a profound blindness to their own need for wisdom or change. This individual's very identity is wrapped up in their flawed perception of self-excellence. True wisdom, by biblical definition, involves acknowledging God, being teachable, and recognizing one's limitations. Therefore, to be "wise in one's own eyes" is antithetical to genuine wisdom, creating a state of unreachability more severe than even the most hardened folly. This verse serves as a crucial call to humility, urging believers to constantly evaluate their perspectives against God's Word and remain open to instruction from both divine and human sources.
Proverbs 26 12 Commentary
Proverbs 26:12 delivers a stark warning against intellectual and spiritual pride. The person "wise in his own eyes" is characterized not by true wisdom—which stems from the fear of the Lord and an openness to instruction—but by a deeply ingrained self-sufficiency. They are immune to reproof because their self-assessment provides no grounds for admitting fault or needing guidance. Their "wisdom" is a fortress against truth. This condition is deemed more hopeless than that of a simple fool because the fool, though defiant and resistant, may yet be humbled by the consequences of their actions or eventually see the folly of their ways. The self-wise, however, perceive themselves as infallible, actively dismissing all external input that contradicts their own perception. This spiritual arrogance blocks grace and growth. This type of pride is particularly insidious as it often parades as virtue or enlightenment.
Practical Examples:
- A person who consistently rejects advice from experienced mentors because they believe their own innovative, untested methods are superior, leading to repeated failures.
- An individual who refuses to read or listen to perspectives outside their own worldview, convinced their understanding is complete, thus preventing any intellectual or moral growth.
- A religious leader or follower who dismisses all constructive criticism, believing their spiritual understanding is so advanced or divinely given that no one else could possibly offer a valid counterpoint, risking severe spiritual decay.