Proverbs 26:16 kjv

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Proverbs 26:16 nkjv

The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Proverbs 26:16 niv

A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

Proverbs 26:16 esv

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Proverbs 26:16 nlt

Lazy people consider themselves smarter
than seven wise counselors.

Proverbs 26 verses

Proverbs 26 16 Meaning

Proverbs 26:16 describes the profound self-deception and arrogant conceit of a sluggard. The sluggard, due to indolence and a disinclination for effort, convinces himself that he possesses superior understanding and discernment. He believes his own opinions and justifications for inaction are far wiser and more insightful than the considered judgments and rational advice offered by even a multitude of genuinely sensible and judicious individuals. His perceived wisdom is a delusion, born from pride and sloth, rather than from knowledge or experience.

Proverbs 26 16 Context

Proverbs chapter 26 is largely dedicated to exploring the characteristics and pitfalls of both the fool (kesil / 'evil) and the sluggard ('atsel). The verse under analysis, Proverbs 26:16, stands within a series of aphorisms detailing the sluggard's nature. This section, spanning verses 13-16, highlights various aspects of laziness: the sluggard's exaggerated excuses for inaction (v. 13), his repetitive idleness (v. 14), his inability to exert even minimal effort (v. 15), and culminating in his deluded self-perception (v. 16). The book of Proverbs as a whole serves as a compendium of divinely inspired practical wisdom for righteous living, teaching the reader how to navigate life's challenges, make wise choices, and cultivate character that honors God. The recurring warnings against sloth and self-deception are vital to this practical theology, as they directly undermine productive living and a humble heart essential for receiving true wisdom. Historically and culturally, such wisdom literature was foundational in ancient Israel for instructing youth and guiding communal life, contrasting diligence and humility with indolence and arrogance that led to ruin.

Proverbs 26 16 Word analysis

• The sluggard (עָצֵל, 'atsel): This Hebrew term denotes someone who is indolent, lazy, or idle. It refers not merely to physical inactivity, but a profound reluctance to expend effort in any form, including mental and moral. It implies an aversion to diligence, discipline, and responsible action. The 'atsel is a recurring negative archetype in Proverbs, consistently linked with poverty, deprivation, and foolishness.

• is wiser (חָכָם, chakham - wise, skillful, intelligent): This word is typically used to describe someone genuinely sagacious, discerning, and knowledgeable. In this context, it is used ironically to describe the sluggard's perception of himself. The sluggard applies the esteemed label of "wise" to his own intellectual processes, which are actually designed to justify his laziness rather than pursue truth or good.

• in his own conceit (בְּעֵינָיו, b'eynayv - literally "in his own eyes"): This phrase is idiomatic, meaning "in his own estimation" or "in his own opinion." It underscores a subjective and often distorted self-perception. When someone is "wise in their own eyes," they judge themselves by a flawed internal standard, disregarding external reality, wise counsel, or objective truth. This points to pride and self-righteousness as the root of their delusion.

• than seven men (מִשִּׁבְעָה מְשִׁיבֵי, mishshiv'ah meshibey - literally "from seven who return/answer"): The number "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheba') is often used in the Bible as a symbol of completeness, perfection, or totality. Here, it functions as hyperbole, emphasizing that the sluggard believes himself to be wiser than a multitude of, or indeed all, truly competent and rational individuals. It's not a literal count of men but signifies an overwhelming number of wise counselors.

• that can render a reason (טָעַם, ta'am - taste, judgment, reason): This word is closely associated with discerning thought, sound judgment, and the ability to articulate rational arguments or provide good counsel. The phrase "render a reason" (meshibey ta'am) describes those who are perceptive, logical, and able to respond intelligently to questions or offer well-founded advice. These are individuals who are truly capable of practical, logical, and moral discernment.

Words-group analysis:

• "The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit": This phrase encapsulates the central delusion. The sluggard's perceived wisdom is purely internal and self-generated. It is not derived from learning, experience, or diligent reflection, but from a narcissistic self-assessment. This is intellectual pride combining with idleness, creating a protective barrier against correction or accountability. His 'wisdom' justifies his inactivity.

• "than seven men that can render a reason": This comparison is the sting of the verse. It magnifies the extent of the sluggard's conceit. He isn't merely content to be idle; he rationalizes his sloth by convincing himself that his inert approach to life is superior to the diligent, thoughtful, and counsel-driven methods of truly wise individuals. The "seven men" represent the best and brightest, those who truly understand life's complexities and offer sound judgment, making the sluggard's delusion strikingly profound and dangerous. It's a striking contrast between deluded intellectual arrogance and genuine, practiced discernment.

Proverbs 26 16 Bonus section

The hyperbole of "seven men" is a literary device to underscore the monumental degree of the sluggard's self-deception, indicating not just "some" wise men, but an overwhelming consensus of wisdom. This is common in biblical wisdom literature to heighten the impact of a truth. This verse is not merely about a physically inactive person; it delves into the spiritual and psychological condition that underpins such laziness. The sluggard's internal justification system means that mere encouragement or exhortation often proves ineffective, as his primary barrier is a prideful heart rather than a simple lack of motivation. True repentance for a sluggard begins with recognizing the deep deception and folly of his own "wisdom." The Proverb implicitly challenges the listener to self-reflect and ask whether their own justifications for inaction are genuine wisdom or a clever deceit of the heart.

Proverbs 26 16 Commentary

Proverbs 26:16 exposes a particularly insidious aspect of the sluggard: not just his physical laziness, but his intellectual and spiritual conceit. The sluggard's idleness isn't merely a failure to act; it breeds a compensatory pride that blinds him to his own foolishness. To avoid the discomfort of diligence, he convinces himself that his inaction or convoluted rationalizations are, in fact, marks of superior insight or intelligence. He believes he sees what others, even truly wise and discerning individuals ("seven men that can render a reason"), cannot. This delusion prevents him from receiving sound advice, as he already considers himself above correction. This intellectual arrogance reinforces his physical sloth, creating a vicious cycle where laziness fuels self-deception, which in turn justifies further inactivity. The verse warns against allowing intellectual laziness to morph into self-deluding arrogance, which is far more detrimental than simple inertia because it fundamentally obstructs the path to true wisdom and growth. It emphasizes that real wisdom is humble and seeks counsel, while foolishness is arrogant and isolates itself in its own self-made truths.

• Example 1: A student who rarely studies, but when faced with poor grades, attributes his failure not to lack of effort, but to "flawed teaching methods" or "the trivial nature of the subject matter," believing his intellectual capacities are beyond such conventional learning.
• Example 2: A person habitually neglecting responsibilities, like financial planning or household chores, convincing themselves they are too "creative" or "spiritual" for such mundane tasks, deeming those who meticulously manage affairs as lacking depth or true freedom.
• Example 3: A Christian who rarely engages in deep Bible study or corporate worship, but opines critically on biblical doctrines or church practices, believing their intuitive understanding of faith surpasses structured theological teaching or collective discernment within the body of Christ.