Proverbs 13:16

A fell man doeth all things with counsel; but he that is a fool, shall open folly. (A clever person doeth everything with forethought, or only after advice; but he who is a fool, shall lay open his foolishness for all to see.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

In Context

15Good teaching shall give grace; a swallow is in the way of despisers. (Good teaching shall bring favour; a pit is on the way of despisers.)

17The messenger of a wicked man shall fall into evil; a faithful messenger is health. (A wicked messenger shall fall into evil; but a faithful messenger bringeth health, or victory, or salvation, or deliverance.)

Read all of Proverbs 13

Cross References

1 Samuel 25:17Wherefore behold thou, and think, what thou shalt do; for malice is full-filled against thine husband, and against thine house, (or for malice is now filled full against thy husband, and against all thy family); and he is the son of Belial, so that no man may speak (sense) to him.

Psalms 112:5The man is merry, that doeth mercy, and lendeth; he disposeth his words in doom; (Happy is the person who giveth favour when he lendeth; he disposeth his deeds with justice, or with good judgement;)

Proverbs 12:23A fell man covereth knowing; and the heart of unwise men stirreth folly. (A clever person concealeth his knowledge; but the unwise tell out their foolishness.)

Proverbs 15:2The tongue of wise men honoureth knowing (or The speaking of the wise honoureth knowledge); the mouth of fools boileth out folly.

Ecclesiastes 10:3But also a fool going in the way, when he is unwise, guesseth all men fools. (And a fool, going on the way, since he is unwise, thinketh that all the other people be fools.)

Isaiah 52:13Lo! my servant shall understand, and he shall be enhanced (or and he shall be exalted), and he shall be raised (up), and he shall be full high.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 13:16

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for, 1. The way of saints is pleasant and agreeable: Good understanding gains favour with God and man; our Saviour grew in that favour when he increased in wisdom. Those that conduct themselves prudently, and order their conversation aright in every thing, that serve Christ in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, are accepted of God… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 13:16