Proverbs 12:23

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.”

What this verse means

Read Proverbs 12:23 in the flow of Proverbs12 for its full sense, then follow the cross-references below to the passages that echo it. Open Proverbs12 to see the surrounding context.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

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

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Proverbs 12:23 — 12 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. 1 Samuel 10:16And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
  2. Nehemiah 2:12I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
  3. Nehemiah 2:16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers.
  4. Proverbs 10:14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.
  5. Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
  6. Proverbs 11:13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
  7. Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
  8. Proverbs 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
  9. Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
  10. Proverbs 18:2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
  11. Ecclesiastes 10:3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
  12. Ecclesiastes 10:12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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