Proverbs 12:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

NIV: Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

NASB: A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor.

CSB: A fool's displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.

NLT: A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

KJV: A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

NKJV: A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.

The prior verse (Proverbs 12:15) spoke of a "fool" as a person who is hard-headed, or stubborn, or resistant to advice. When such a person is annoyed, perhaps by a sharp disagreement or an insult, he loses control and shows his anger. In contrast, a wise person stays calm under similar circumstances. There's a strange contradiction in the life of someone who strongly resists correction (Proverbs 1:7) yet succumbs quickly to their own frustration. Then again, both problems have the same root cause: selfish arrogance.

A wise person controls his emotions. He does not fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. He manifests self-control, which is produced by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The apostle Peter reminds us that Jesus did not revile in return when He was reviled. Neither did He threaten others when He suffered. Instead, He "continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). In 1 Peter 3:9–11, Peter writes: "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling…'whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.'" It is a mark of godliness to remain calm when circumstances or mean-spirited people annoy us.

Proverbs 12:12–23 continues Solomon's contrast of a wise righteous person and a wicked fool. In this segment, he focuses mainly on their different speech patterns. He points out that the words of a liar are an abomination to the Lord, whereas the Lord delights in the words of a wise person.

Proverbs 12 contains a series of contrasts between lifestyles, comparing those who honor God to those who reject His wisdom. The results of those decisions are also compared. This repeats several common themes from the book of Proverbs, such as the self-destructive nature of sin and God's distaste for those who lie.

Proverbs 12 continues Solomon's wise sayings. A large portion of the book of Proverbs includes these short, common sense pieces of advice. After a series of introductions and lessons in chapters 1—9, chapter 10 began a long list of individual statements. In this chapter he continues to contrast the righteous and the wicked, showing that the life of the righteous is far better than the life of the wicked. This pattern will continue, covering the same basic theme, through chapter 15.

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.