What Does the Bible Say About Fools?

1. #1Proverbs 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.

2. #2Proverbs 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.

3. #3Proverbs 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.

4. #4Proverbs 10:14

   Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

   BSBThe wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

5. #5Proverbs 29:9

   If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

   BSBIf a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

6. #6Proverbs 18:7

   A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

   BSBA fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

7. #7Ecclesiastes 7:9

   Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

   BSBDo not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

8. #8Proverbs 18:6

   A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

   BSBA fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

9. #9Matthew 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.

10. #10Psalms 14:1-4

    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. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

    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. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD.

11. #11Proverbs 15:7

    The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

    BSBThe lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

12. #12Proverbs 14:7-9

    Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

    BSBStay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

13. #13Proverbs 10:23

    It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

    BSBThe fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

14. #14Proverbs 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.

15. #15Titus 3:3

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

    BSBFor at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

16. #16Matthew 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).

Fools in Torrey's Topical Textbook

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