Proverbs 14:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

NIV: The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

NASB: A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

CSB: A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

NLT: The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

KJV: A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

NKJV: A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

A wise person doesn't act on pure instinct (2 Peter 2:12), failing to think (Proverbs 14:12). Rather, a wise person gives careful thought to every situation (Proverbs 14:15). Instead of turning into a sinful situation, he turns away from it. A foolish person plunges recklessly into sin. The word translated as "cautious" here is from the same root word as the "fear" connected to "the fear of the Lord" in other verses (Proverbs 1:7). This implies a respect or reverence, in contrast to something careless or arrogant.

Samson foolishly plunged into a reckless situation with Delilah. His thoughtless action cost him defeat, disgrace, and death (Judges 16:4–30). King David played the fool by succumbing to lust for Bathsheba. He summoned her and committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:1–5), and then later he killed her husband to cover it up (2 Samuel 11:6–27). David brought many negative consequences upon himself (2 Samuel 12). The Lord Jesus epitomizes wisdom in every situation, including the situation in which one is tempted to do evil. Matthew 4 presents the scene in which the Devil tempted Jesus when Jesus was physically weak after fasting forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. Every time the Devil tempted Jesus, Jesus warded off the temptation by quoting Scripture. Instead of recklessly diving into a compromising situation, a believer should follow Jesus' example and take the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word (Ephesians 6:17). First Corinthians 10:13 encourages, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

This continues a series of literal "proverbs:" short statements of general-case wisdom. The first ten verses of this chapter contrast positive and negative traits related to work ethic, self-control, and seeking wisdom. Then come several verses contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. The rest of this passage provides statements on a broad range of subjects.

Proverbs 14 continues King Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter he discusses a variety of topics such as wisdom and folly, honesty and dishonesty, righteousness and evil, national security and national disgrace, personal security and destruction, the fear of the Lord, generosity, and wise servanthood. This series of astute comments will continue for several more chapters.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.