Proverbs 14 · Verse 15

Proverbs 14:15

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Proverbs 14:15, King James Version

Proverbs 14:15 in other translations

BSBThe simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
WEBA simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
ASVThe simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
YLTThe simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.
DARBYThe simple believeth every word; but the prudent man heedeth his going.
BBEThe simple man has faith in every word, but the man of good sense gives thought to his footsteps.
WebsterThe simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

What does Proverbs 14:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. The simple ... word--He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness (Pr 13:16).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Eager readiness to believe what others say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies of his salvation, by taking heed to God's word.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 14:15 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

פֶּ֭תִיPe.tia naive personH6612
יַאֲמִ֣יןya.'a.Minhe believesH539
לְכָל\־le.khol<to> everyH3605
דָּבָ֑רda.VarthingH1697
וְ֝עָר֗וּםve.'a.Rumand a sensible [person]H6175
יָבִ֥יןya.Vinhe considersH995
לַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ\׃la.'a.shu.Ro<to> step hisH838

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 14:15

  • Ephesians 5:17

    Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

  • Proverbs 14:8

    The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Proverbs 27:12

    A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

  • Proverbs 4:26

    Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

  • Ephesians 4:14

    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

  • Proverbs 22:3

    A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

  • Romans 16:18-19

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

  • Acts 13:7

    Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

  • Amos 5:13

    Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
simple.
4:26; 22:3; 27:12; Ro 16:18,19; Eph 4:14; 5:17; 1Jo 4:1
the prudent.
8; Am 5:13; Ac 13:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 14:14

    The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

  • Proverbs 14:15

    The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

  • Proverbs 14:16

    A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Read all of Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El simple cree á toda palabra: mas el avisado entiende sus pasos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le simple croit toute parole, mais l’homme avisé discerne ses pas.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Einfältige glaubt jedem Worte, aber der Kluge merkt auf seine Schritte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Innocens credit omni verbo; astutus considerat gressus suos. Filio doloso nihil erit boni; servo autem sapienti prosperi erunt actus, et dirigetur via ejus.