Proverbs 14:33
in Proverbs 14Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
KJV
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
⋯
This verse in Proverbs 14
Commentary
4 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Omit “that which is.” “Wisdom” is the subject of both clauses. She is “made nown,” i. e., by the very force of contrast, in the midst of fools; or she is reserved and reticent in the one, noisy and boastful in the other. The Septuagint and some other versions get over the difficulty, by reading “Wisdom is not made known.”
This site's exposition
The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin
on Proverbs 14:32-33
The wicked man is driven away by his own wickedness, while the righteous keeps hope even at death. Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man who understands it. Among fools it works the other way, made known because a fool cannot help but show what little he has.
This site's exposition
Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning
Albert Barnes takes wisdom as the subject of both lines, quiet in the heart of the discerning and made known among fools by contrast. The Septuagint adds a negative to the second line. In that version wisdom stays unknown among fools.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding,....
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| בְּלֵ֣ב | belev | in [the] heart of | H3820 → | 595 times |
| נָ֭בוֹן | navon | a discerning [person] | H995 → | 170 times |
| תָּנ֣וּחַ | tanuach | it rests | H5117 → | 142 times |
| חָכְמָ֑ה | chokhmah | wisdom | H2451 → | 153 times |
| וּבְקֶ֥רֶב | uvekerev | and in [the] inward part[s] of | H7130 → | 227 times |
| כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים | kesilim | fools | H3684 → | 70 times |
| תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃ | tivadea' | it is made known | H3045 → | 945 times |
בְּלֵ֣בin [the] heart of
belevH3820 →595 times
נָ֭בוֹןa discerning [person]
navonH995 →170 times
תָּנ֣וּחַit rests
tanuachH5117 →142 times
חָכְמָ֑הwisdom
chokhmahH2451 →153 times
וּבְקֶ֥רֶבand in [the] inward part[s] of
uvekerevH7130 →227 times
כְּ֝סִילִ֗יםfools
kesilimH3684 →70 times
תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃it is made known
tivadea'H3045 →945 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 12:16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
it leads to
- Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Proverbs 29:11
Through
Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
it leads to
- Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 15:2
Through
Proverbs 29:11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
it leads to
- Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
- Proverbs 12:16
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
- Micah 7:5
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Amos 5:13
Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
- Proverbs 19:11
Through
Proverbs 15:28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and…
- 1 Peter 3:15
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).
