Proverbs 17:28

Also a fool, if he is still, shall be guessed a wise man, (or Even a fool, if he is silent, shall be thought to be wise); and, if he presseth together his lips, he is guessed an understanding man.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

In Context

27He that measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned man is of precious spirit. (He who measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned person hath a precious spirit.)

Read all of Proverbs 17

Cross References

Job 13:5And I would, that ye were still, that ye were guessed to be wise men. (And I wish, that ye held your peace, so that ye could be thought to be wise.)

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.)

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:28

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Two ways a man may show himself to be a wise man:—1. By the good temper, the sweetness and the sedateness, of his mind: A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, a precious spirit (so the word is); he is one that looks well to his spirit, that it be as it should be, and so keeps it in… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 17:28