Proverbs 17 · Verse 24

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24, King James Version

Proverbs 17:24 in other translations

BSBWisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
WEBWisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
ASVWisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
YLTThe face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool--at the end of the earth.
DARBYWisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
BBEWisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
WebsterWisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

What does Proverbs 17:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
24. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 24 Are in the ends of the earth - Wisdom is within the sight and reach at every man: but he whose desires are scattered abroad, who is always aiming at impossible things, or is of an unsteady disposition, is not likely to find it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 17:24 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.

אֶת\־'et-[is] withH854
פְּנֵ֣יpe.Nei[the] face ofH6440
מֵבִ֣יןme.Vin[one who] has understandingH995
חָכְמָ֑הchokh.mahwisdomH2451
וְעֵינֵ֥יve.'ei.Neiand [the] eyes ofH5869
כְ֝סִ֗ילkhe.Sila foolH3684
בִּקְצֵה\־bik.tzeh-[are] at [the] end ofH7097
אָֽרֶץ\׃'A.retz[the] earthH776

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

Cross references for Proverbs 17:24

  • Ecclesiastes 2:14

    The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:1

    Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

  • Proverbs 14:6

    A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

  • Psalms 119:37

    Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

  • Proverbs 23:5

    Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

  • John 7:17

    If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:9

    Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Proverbs 15:14

    The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
before.
14:6; 15:14; Ec 2:14; 8:1; Joh 7:17
the eyes.
23:5; Ps 119:37; Ec 6:9; 1Jo 2:16

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

Context

  • Proverbs 17:23

    A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

  • Proverbs 17:24

    Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

  • Proverbs 17:25

    A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:24 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En el rostro del entendido aparece la sabiduría: mas los ojos del necio vagan hasta el cabo de la tierra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La sagesse est en face de l’homme intelligent, mais les yeux du sot sont au bout de la terre.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Vor dem Angesicht des Verständigen ist Weisheit, aber die Augen des Toren sind am Ende der Erde.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.