Proverbs 18:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

NIV: To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.

NASB: One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him.

CSB: The one who gives an answer before he listens -- this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

NLT: Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

KJV: He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

NKJV: He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

Among modern technology's greatest benefits is ease of communication. Yet that ability comes with dangers. It has never been easier for persons lacking experience, information, and discernment to spread their opinions to others on a large scale and without a meaningful requirement to think before broadcasting. Entire media platforms are designed around characteristics such as speed, brevity, and reach. This enables poorly understood, factually challenged, ill-considered statements to be instantly delivered to a large audience.

Such risks have resulted in innumerable people making fools of themselves when hastily made comments prove deeply uninformed. Another regrettable result is modern culture's tendency to form opinions based on bite-sized, context-free headlines, reinforcing the error and causing it to spread.

As a wise judge, Solomon understood the wisdom of hearing both sides of a matter before rendering a judgment. Speaking before hearing is a sign of arrogance and overconfidence (Proverbs 18:12). Vain pride makes a person think he knows what to say without bothering to hear what another person has to say. This proverb, written thousands of years ago, indicates that speaking in ignorance is not a modern problem. It's an ancient problem amplified by modern technology.

Jesus placed a high premium on hearing a matter carefully. He said, "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away" (Luke 8:18). The apostle James writes in James 1:19: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak." Further, in verse 26 he cautions: "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

Proverbs 18:10–15 contrasts true security found in God with the illusion of wealth. As in the prior verses, Solomon explains the value of seeking out deeper understanding. This passage contains two famous biblical statements. One refers to God as a "strong tower," while the other notes that physical struggles are easier to endure than spiritual and emotional trials.

This segment of Solomon's wise sayings includes several well-known and often-repeated remarks. Among these are references to God's "name" as a place of safety, the connection between pride and catastrophe, the value of a godly spouse, and the intimate loyalty of a good friend. As in other parts of the book of Proverbs, these teachings are tied to warnings about the consequences of poor decisions.

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.