Proverbs 17:21
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
World English Bible British
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 cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Cross References
Genesis 26:34When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.
1 Samuel 8:3His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings 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, then my heart will be glad, even mine.
Philemon 1:19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
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 →