Proverbs 14:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

NIV: The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

NASB: The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is simply foolishness.

CSB: The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

NLT: Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

KJV: The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

NKJV: The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.

The wise have a lasting, valuable wealth in the form of their wisdom and diligence. This causes others to regard them highly, and often leads to material resources needed to do good. A godly, wise person who is diligent and hardworking (Proverbs 14:23) can give generously to the needy and have opportunities to provide for others. They can use their wealth to serve God.

Fools, however, engage in foolishness. The book of Proverbs notes that real wisdom means following God (Proverbs 1:7; 3:5) and ignoring Him is a type of deliberate stupidity (Proverbs 12:1). Those who turn away from godliness do nothing to enrich the lives of others They squander what they have instead of using it to serve God. They use their resources to advance their wicked plans. When life ends, they will have nothing to look forward to except judgment (John 3:36; Proverbs 10:7). Engaging in foolish thinking just leads to more foolishness (Proverbs 14:18).

Scripture describes a few notably wealthy people who used their riches for the good of others. Solomon was wealthy, and he used his resources to build a peaceful kingdom and a temple of worship (1 Kings 10:23). Joseph of Arimathea was rich, and he asked Pilate for Jesus' body, which he wrapped in a clean linen shroud and placed in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57–60). Lydia was a wealthy seller of purple cloth, and she opened her house as a headquarters from which Paul and his coworkers could spread the gospel (Acts 16:11–15).

Proverbs 14:15–35 continues Solomon's wise sayings, once again mostly contrasting the wicked and the upright. He points out that those who do evil, by rejecting God's wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) are foolish and have no security. Those who do God's will (Proverbs 3:5) are wise and have unfailing security.

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.