What Does the Bible Say About Calling People Fools?
Here are 17 Bible verses about calling people fools, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Matthew 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
BSBBut I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- #2Psalms 14:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
BSBFor the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
- #3Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
BSBThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- #4Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
BSBA fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- #5Matthew 23:17
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
BSBYou blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?
- #6Proverbs 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
BSBA fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
- #7Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
BSBThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- #8Luke 12:20
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
BSBBut God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- #9Proverbs 10:18
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
BSBThe one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
- #10Matthew 23:19
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
BSBYou blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
- #11Psalms 53:1
To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
BSBFor the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
- #121 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
BSBLet no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
- #131 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
BSBFor the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
- #14Proverbs 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
BSBHe who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
- #15Psalms 74:18
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
BSBRemember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
- #161 Corinthians 1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
BSBBut God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
- #17Matthew 7:26
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
BSBBut everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).