Proverbs 15:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

NIV: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

NASB: A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

CSB: A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

NLT: A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

KJV: A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

NKJV: A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Solomon observes that inner joy, or sadness, is reflected in a person's face. As with all "proverbs," this is a general statement of common sense, not an absolute rule. Sad people can "put on a brave face" and pretend all is well just as happy people can disguise their feelings. For the most part, however, our emotions are displayed in our physical bodies.

Instead of living under the circumstances, faith enables a believer to live above their circumstances (Philippians 4:13). Instead of becoming a victim of the hardships of life, the believer can become a victor over them. The apostle Paul's response to difficult circumstances is evident in his letter to the Philippian church. He could have become depressed, but he radiated joy. The words "joy" and "rejoice" occur often in Philippians despite Paul writing while shackled to guards while under house arrest in Rome. Furthermore, he faced the possibility of being executed. In his opening remarks to the Philippian believers, he writes: "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy" (Philippians 1:3–4). Thankfulness and memory of past blessings contribute to a glad heart.

Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.

Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.

Chapter 10 began a long list of Solomon's wise sayings. This passage continues to emphasize common themes such as hard work, humility, godly wisdom, and self-control. This extended collection of proverbs continues through much of chapter 22.

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.