Proverbs 27:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.

NIV: Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.

NASB: Though you pound the fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, His foolishness still will not leave him.

CSB: Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, you will not separate his foolishness from him.

NLT: You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

KJV: Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

NKJV: Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

Modern English expressions echo the sentiment of this proverb. These include phrases such as "you can't fix stupid," or, "ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is forever," attributed to various persons in different forms. In this context, foolishness and "stupidity" are not linked to intelligence, but to how one interacts with wisdom and common sense (Proverbs 8:5). Biblical wisdom starts with a proper understanding of God (Proverbs 1:7). When a person is spiritually foolish, it may take harsh consequences to open their minds (Proverbs 19:29; 22:15; 26:3). For others, no amount of disaster brings them around. Solomon's comparison to crushed grain implies that "folly" is found in the tiniest parts of the fool—it's so ingrained that it cannot be removed.

The Old Testament mentions a man using a name which literally means "fool:" Nabal. His name matched his actions, which demonstrated his folly. He refused to help David and his men when David was a fugitive and needed provisions, even after David's men had showed kindness to Nabal's shepherds. Although David's messengers greeted Nabal cordially, Nabal answered rudely and sent them away. Fortunately, Nabal's wife went to David and persuaded him not to take revenge on Nabal. She said, "as his name is, so is he. Nabal [fool] is his name, and folly is with him" (1 Samuel 25:25). Judas Iscariot was also a fool. Despite being with Jesus throughout Jesus' ministry, he betrayed His teacher. He rejected all of Jesus' teachings and miracles and sold Him to His enemies. Judas died by his own hand without having repented of his evil (Acts 1:18–19).

Wise sayings from this chapter warn about overconfidence and bragging. Solomon also encourages positive friendships and the wisdom they provide. He offers several notes about self-examination and the need for personal accountability. Many of the proverbs in this passage touch on the concept of speaking truth in love, even if it's not what the other person would like to hear. The end of the chapter uses the example of livestock to make a point about good stewardship.

This continues a collection of approximately one hundred proverbs associated with Solomon. King Hezekiah's men, probably his scribes, copied these from other scrolls (Proverbs 25:1). This chapter includes references to overconfidence, the value of friendships, and the importance of good stewardship. The assembly of Solomon's wise teachings continues through the end of chapter 29.

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.