Proverbs 10:14 · King James Version

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Proverbs 10:14 in the King James Version reads: “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”. Read it in the full context of Proverbs 10, or compare how other translations render it below.

Proverbs 10:14 in Other Translations

KJV Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
WEB Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
ASV Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
YLT The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool is near ruin.
WBT Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.
DBY The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.

Commentary on Proverbs 10:14

Expositions from classic Bible commentators.

Matthew Henry · Proverbs 10:14

Observe, 1. It is the wisdom of the wise that they treasure up a stock of useful knowledge, which will be their preservation: Wisdom is therefore found in their lips (Pro 10:13), because it is laid up in their hearts, out of which store, like the good householder, they bring things new and old. Whatever knowledge may be at any time useful to us we must lay it up, because we know not but some time or other we may have occasion for it. We must continue laying up as long as we live; and be sure to lay it up safely, that it may not be to seek when we want it. 2. It is the folly of fools that they lay up mischief in their hearts, which is ready to them in all they say, and works terror and destruction both to others and to themselves. They love devouring words (Psa 52:4), and these come uppermost. Their mouth is near destruction, having the sharp arrows of bitter words always at hand to throw about.

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John Gill · Proverbs 10:14

Wise men lay up knowledge,.... Which they get by reading, prayer, meditation, hearing the word of God, and conversation with good men: this they lay up in their hearts, minds, and memories, that they may not forget it, and as a rich treasure they highly value it; that they may bring it forth at proper times, and on proper occasions, for the benefit of others; see Mat 12:35; or hide (f) it; conceal it; do not boast and brag of it, as foolish men do;

but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction: who rashly and unguardedly utters things which bring swift and sudden destruction on himself and others; or terror and consternation, as the word (g) also signifies. The Vulgate Latin version is, "but the mouth of the foolish is near to confusion"; he boasts of his knowledge, betrays his ignorance, and so brings himself to shame and confusion.

(f) "abscondent", Pagninus, Montanus; "abscondunt", V. L. "occultant", Michaelis. (g) "terrorem accersit", Tigurine version; "consternatio propinqua", Cocceius; "terror", Vatablus, Michaelis.

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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Proverbs 10:14

lay up knowledge--that is, as treasures for good use.

mouth . . . destruction--or, "as to the mouth," &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.

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Questions about Proverbs 10:14

What does Proverbs 10:14 say?

Proverbs 10:14 in the King James Version reads: “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Read it in the full context of Proverbs 10, alongside the classic commentary on this page.

Where is Proverbs 10:14 found in the Bible?

Proverbs 10:14 is in the book of Proverbs, chapter 10, verse 14, in the Old Testament.

What Bible translation is Proverbs 10:14 shown in?

This is the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation. You can compare how other translations render Proverbs 10:14 in the table on this page.

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