Proverbs 14:16
The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
In Context
15The simple man has faith in every word, but the man of good sense gives thought to his footsteps.
17He who is quickly angry will do what is foolish, but the man of good sense will have quiet.
Cross References
Genesis 42:18And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:
1 Kings 19:2Then Jezebel sent a servant to Elijah, saying, May the gods' punishment be on me if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
1 Kings 20:18And he said, If they have come out for peace, take them living, and if they have come out for war, take them living.
Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was without sin and upright, fearing God and keeping himself far from evil.
Job 31:21If my hand had been lifted up against him who had done no wrong, when I saw that I was supported by the judges;
Psalms 119:120My flesh is moved for fear of you; I give honour to your decisions.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:16
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Note, 1. It is folly to be credulous, to heed every flying report, to give ear to every man's story, though ever so improbable, to take things upon trust from common fame, to depend upon every man's profession of friendship and give credit to every one that will promise payment; those are simple who thus believe every word, forgetting that all men, in some sense, are liars in comparison with God, all whose words we are to believe… Read the whole commentary →