Proverbs 14:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

NIV: Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

NASB: Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

CSB: Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

NLT: Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

KJV: Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

NKJV: Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.

Earthly happiness is fleeting (Matthew 6:19–21). Appearances can be deceiving (1 Samuel 16:7; John 7:24). Those who laugh, on the outside, might be in deep pain, in their heart. Earthly pursuits will not change this, and any joy they bring is temporary. Even while a sinner laughs, his heart may be sorrowful, and when his joy ends, he experiences grief (Proverbs 10:8; 11:23). Those who put their faith in Christ can rest in knowing their sorrow will be truly healed (Revelation 21:4).

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us where he looked for meaning and satisfaction. Among the places he looked was pleasure, but he did not find any significance or satisfaction there. He concludes his book by exhorting his readers to remember the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12:13). First Timothy 5:6 affirms that "she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives." Real significance comes only from a right relationship with God. The psalmist testifies that God is the source of genuine, lasting delight. He writes: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).

Proverbs 14:11–14 is a brief section which contrasts the righteous and the wicked. Solomon takes these moments to emphasize the final destinies of the evil and the upright. Those who reject God will come to an inglorious end, but those who submit to His truth will enjoy a glorious destiny. The wicked will get what he deserves, having built a life of sin, but the upright will be rewarded for walking in righteousness. Points made here echo those seen in Proverbs 12:7–15.

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.