Proverbs 28:26 kjv
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26 nkjv
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26 niv
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26 esv
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26 nlt
Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 28 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:5-7 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... | Trust God, not self, humility, wisdom. |
| Prov 12:15 | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. | Fool's self-deception vs. wise counsel. |
| Prov 14:12 | There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | Self-perceived righteousness leading to destruction. |
| Prov 16:25 | There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | Repeats the warning about deceptive paths. |
| Prov 23:4 | Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. | Warning against self-driven ambition. |
| Prov 26:12 | Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | Pride worse than simple folly. |
| Prov 30:2 | Surely I am too stupid to be a man; I have not the understanding of a man. | Humility of Agur contrasting with self-trust. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have good understanding. | Wisdom begins with God, not self. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me." | Boasting in God, not human wisdom. |
| Jer 17:5-8 | Cursed is the man who trusts in man... Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. | Direct contrast: trust in self/man vs. God. |
| Is 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. | Divine wisdom vastly superior to human. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | Claiming to be wise, they became fools... | Those rejecting God become foolish. |
| 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 to think. | Humility in self-assessment. |
| 1 Cor 1:18-20 | For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | God's wisdom contrasted with worldly wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him. | Unspiritual mind cannot grasp spiritual truth. |
| 1 Cor 3:18-19 | Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. | Worldly wisdom leads to folly, true wisdom through humility. |
| 2 Cor 1:9 | Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God... | Learning to rely on God through adversity. |
| Eph 5:15-17 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time... | Walk wisely, understanding God's will. |
| Jas 1:5-8 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... | Wisdom given by God, not self-generated. |
| Jas 3:13-17 | Who is wise and understanding among you?... But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle... | True wisdom from above, not earthly understanding. |
| Col 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition... | Beware of humanistic thought overriding Christ. |
Proverbs 28 verses
Proverbs 28 26 Meaning
Proverbs 28:26 declares that relying solely on one's own understanding or judgment leads to foolishness and harm, while consistently living by and applying divine wisdom results in safety and rescue from life's perils. It contrasts the dangers of intellectual self-sufficiency with the blessings of a humble, discerning, and God-honoring lifestyle.
Proverbs 28 26 Context
Proverbs chapter 28 is part of the "Further Proverbs of Solomon" (chapters 25-29), a collection of diverse maxims edited and compiled by the men of Hezekiah. This section frequently juxtaposes the characteristics and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. Within this chapter, there's a strong emphasis on themes of justice, wealth, poverty, governance, and personal integrity. Verse 26, in particular, speaks to the internal disposition—how one relies on one's intellect and understanding. It stands as a warning against self-sufficiency in thought and decision-making, advocating instead for a reliance on a higher wisdom that guides one's life. Historically, wisdom literature across the ancient Near East often cautioned against human pride and emphasized reliance on deities for true guidance, and Israelite wisdom consistently affirmed the Lord as the ultimate source of all truth and insight. This proverb indirectly polemicizes against any cultural or personal inclination towards intellectual arrogance or trusting solely in one's cleverness or earthly philosophy, positioning such trust as antithetical to true deliverance and divine blessing.
Proverbs 28 26 Word analysis
- Whoever trusts: The Hebrew word is bôṭeaḥ (בּוֹטֵחַ), from the root bṭḥ (בטח). This signifies leaning upon, placing confidence in, feeling secure or bold. It denotes a strong, internal reliance and conviction in something or someone. Here, it describes a person whose fundamental sense of security and guidance is placed in themselves.
- in his own mind: The Hebrew term used is libbô (לִבּוֹ), which literally means "his heart." In Hebrew anthropology, the lev (heart) is not merely the seat of emotions but encompasses the entire inner person—intellect, will, thoughts, desires, conscience, and moral decision-making. Therefore, "his own mind" accurately captures the sense of one's own understanding, reasoning, judgment, and even the direction of their life.
- is a fool: The Hebrew word is ʾĕwîl (אֱוִיל). This term for "fool" in Proverbs is particularly strong. An ʾĕwîl is not merely unintelligent or naive, but morally and spiritually perverse, resistant to instruction, arrogant in their own wisdom, and someone whose life path actively rejects God and wisdom's teachings. They are dangerous to themselves and others due to their self-assured, destructive choices.
- but he who walks: The Hebrew is w'hōlēk (וְהוֹלֵךְ), meaning "and he who walks" or "continues to walk." Hōlēk is from the verb hālak (הָלַךְ), signifying a continuous action, a way of life, or a consistent pattern of conduct. It indicates not just an isolated act but an ongoing journey and lifestyle.
- wisely: The Hebrew word is ḥākām (חָכָם), implying skill, insight, discernment, and knowledge that is applied to living rightly. In biblical terms, "wise" is inherently tied to the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commands. To "walk wisely" means to live life guided by divine wisdom, discernment, and practical righteousness, acting prudently and with foresight.
- will be delivered: The Hebrew word is yinnāṣel (יִנָּצֵל), derived from the root nṣl (נצל). This means to be snatched away, rescued, preserved, or saved from danger or destruction. It conveys the idea of safety and protection, being spared from the negative consequences that the fool brings upon themselves.
Proverbs 28 26 Bonus section
The strong moral contrast between the ʾĕwîl (the biblical fool, marked by resistance to instruction and self-will) and the ḥākām (the wise, characterized by the fear of the Lord and practical righteousness) is a foundational theme woven throughout the book of Proverbs. The "heart" (lev) in this context signifies the entirety of one's inner being—their intentions, intellect, and will—emphasizing that self-reliance is a holistic decision to operate outside of divine truth. The metaphor of "walking" pervades the Bible as a symbol for one's life journey or conduct, signifying that wisdom is not merely theoretical knowledge but an actively pursued lifestyle. This proverb provides a clear, practical example of the principle of moral cause and effect prevalent in wisdom literature: the outcome of one's life (folly/destruction versus deliverance/safety) is directly linked to where they choose to place their trust and guidance.
Proverbs 28 26 Commentary
Proverbs 28:26 starkly contrasts two fundamental approaches to life: trusting in oneself versus living by God-given wisdom. The verse asserts that placing ultimate confidence in one's own understanding is the essence of foolishness, because finite human intellect is prone to error, pride, and ultimately, self-destruction. This "fool" is not just unintelligent but morally deficient, stubbornly resistant to divine guidance, leading to perilous paths. Conversely, the individual who "walks wisely" embodies an ongoing, practical application of God-centered wisdom, characterized by humility, discernment, and obedience to His ways. This consistent pattern of life, marked by seeking counsel and aligning with divine truth, results in protection and deliverance from life's hazards and the consequences of sin. The proverb serves as a call to reject intellectual arrogance and embrace the safety found only in a life yielded to God's superior wisdom.