Proverbs 18 · Verse 2

Proverbs 18:2

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Proverbs 18:2, King James Version

Proverbs 18:2 in other translations

BSBA fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
WEBA fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
ASVA fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
YLTA fool delighteth not in understanding, But--in uncovering his heart.
DARBYA fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
BBEA foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
WebsterA fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.

What does Proverbs 18:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 But that his heart may discover itself - It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own nonsense and emptiness. But this verse may be understood as confirming the view already given of the preceding, and may be translated thus: "But a fool doth not delight in understanding, though it should even manifest itself:" so I understand כי אם בהתגלות ki im behithgalloth. The separated person seeks understanding in every hidden thing, and feels his toil well repaid when he finds it, even after the most painful and expensive search: the other regards it not, though its secret springs should be laid open to him without toil or expense.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 18:2 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.

לֹֽא\־lo'-notH3808
יַחְפֹּ֣ץyach.Potzhe delightsH2654
כְּ֭סִילKe.sila foolH3684
בִּתְבוּנָ֑הbit.vu.Nahin understandingH8394
כִּ֝֗יKithatH3588
אִֽם\־'im-exceptH518
בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹתbe.hit.ga.Lotin revealing itselfH1540
לִבּֽוֹ\׃li.Boheart hisH3820

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

Cross references for Proverbs 18:2

  • Proverbs 1:7

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  • Proverbs 12:23

    A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

  • Psalms 1:1-2

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

  • Proverbs 17:16

    Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

  • Proverbs 13:16

    Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:3

    Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

    Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

  • Philippians 1:15

    Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

  • 2 Peter 2:15-19

    Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. …

  • Matthew 8:34

    And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

  • Proverbs 1:22

    How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
fool.
1:7,22; 17:16; Ps 1:1,2; Mt 8:34; 1Co 8:1
but.
Nu 24:15,16; 1Co 14:12; Php 1:15; 2Pe 2:15-19

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

Context

  • Proverbs 18:1

    Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

  • Proverbs 18:2

    A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

  • Proverbs 18:3

    When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Read all of Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No toma placer el necio en la inteligencia, sino en lo que su corazón se descubre.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le sot ne prend pas plaisir à l’intelligence, mais à ce que son cœur soit manifesté.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Tor hat keine Lust an Verständnis, sondern nur daran, daß sein Herz sich offenbare.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.