Proverbs 17:21
He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
In Context
22A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
Cross References
Genesis 26:34And when Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
1 Samuel 8:3And his sons did not go in his ways, but moved by the love of money took rewards, and were not upright in judging.
Proverbs 10:1A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
Proverbs 17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.
Proverbs 23:15My son, if your heart becomes wise, I, even I, will be glad in heart;
Philemon 1:19I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:21
Folly and Wickedness. 20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. Note, 1. Framing ill designs will be of no advantage to us; there is nothing got by them: He that has a froward heart, that sows discord and is full of resentment, cannot promise himself to get by it sufficient to counterbalance the loss of his repose and reputation, nor can he take any rational satisfaction in it; he finds no good. 2. Giving ill language will be a great disadvantage to… Read the whole commentary →