Proverbs 17:21
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
Berean Standard Bible
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
20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Cross References
Genesis 26:34When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.
1 Samuel 8:3But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
Proverbs 17:25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice.
Philemon 1:19I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
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 →