Proverbs 26:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

NIV: Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

NASB: Like useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

CSB: A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.

NLT: A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

KJV: The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

NKJV: Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

The person who cannot walk may have legs but they cannot make use of them. As with all "proverbs," this is a general statement intended to make a point. In this case, Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) makes a comparison to a fool—one lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)—attempting to speak a proverb. Since the fool cannot understand godliness (Proverbs 8:5; 14:16), a proverb will "hang useless" in the mouth like the legs of a lame man. Merely "repeating" words of wisdom does not necessarily make a person wise or able to benefit from the wisdom.

The New Testament adds another layer of spiritual meaning to this idea. The non-believer is not equipped to grasp spiritual truth. Even if that truth is presented, and even if they repeat it, they cannot comprehend it unless they have the Holy Spirit. Paul explains: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing" (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also notes that "the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). He reveals in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the Devil "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Only the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit can shed light into the heart and mind and persuade a person to believe on the Savior.

Proverbs 26:1–12 is mostly a series of blunt, negative remarks about a "fool;" the word appears in all but one verse. In the book of Proverbs, a "fool" is one who rejects godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The segment also includes a famous pair of statements which seem contradictory. Since verses 4 and 5 are written side-by-side, the implication is that there are times where one approach or the other is best. Generally, those who ignore God's truth (Proverbs 8:34–36) are dangerous and unreliable.

This chapter includes three main sections. The first repeatedly refers to a "fool," meaning someone lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The second warns against being lazy. The third condemns careless conflict, lying, and warns about those who disguise their hate with words. Several statements in this passage repeat or echo others made in the book of Proverbs.

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.