Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 8 Holy Bible
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
read chapter 14 in ASV
The wisdom of the man of good sense makes his way clear; but the unwise behaviour of the foolish is deceit.
read chapter 14 in BBE
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.
read chapter 14 in DARBY
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
read chapter 14 in KJV
read chapter 14 in WBT
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
read chapter 14 in WEB
The wisdom of the prudent `is' to understand his way, And the folly of fools `is' deceit.
read chapter 14 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. The wisdom of the prudent is shown by his considering whither his actions lead, the motives from which they spring, the results that attend them. As the apostle enjoins (Ephesians 5:15), "See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Or the clause may be taken as enjoining a wise choice in life, a selection of such a calling or occupation as best suits one's capabilities, station, and opportunities. The folly of fools is deceit. This is not self-deceit, which the word does not denote, but deceit of others. Stupid persons show their folly in trying to cheat others, though they are sure to be detected, and their fraud recoils on themselves. In the case of fools, what they would call wisdom is folly; hence the wording of the sentence.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way.--To look to it carefully that it is such as God would have it; but "the folly of fools (stupid persons, as Proverbs 14:7], is deceit;" it shows itself in trying to cheat others, though they are sure to be detected at last.
