Proverbs 15:5
in Proverbs 15A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
A fool despiseth his father’s correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
KJV
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
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This verse in Proverbs 15
Commentary
4 notes on this versePrudence is that quality by which all things are accomplished through skillful industry, in the same way that malice is that quality whereby only evil is perpetrated. Because, therefore, every activity admits prudence and because evils likewise occur in all things, the name of prudence signifies two realities. Whoever uses cleverness and skill for the destruction of others is evil, but one who acts cleverly and shrewdly to avoid the harm that others have in store for him, directly and wisely detecting his own good, possesses a prudence that is worthy of praise.
This site's exposition
A fool rejects his father’s discipline
on Proverbs 15:5-7
A fool despises his father's instruction while the man who regards reproof is called prudent, the same choice the book has offered since chapter one. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge freely, scattering it like seed, while the foolish heart keeps nothing worth scattering.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
True prudence is the knowledge of what to do and what not to do. One who possesses it never refrains from virtuous works and is never pierced by the deadly arrow of vice. Thus, he who understands words of prudence knows the difference between what is insidious, structured for deception, and what reminds us quietly about the best way to live life. Like the good practice of a banker, he will retain what is good and abstain from every form of evil. Grant such prudence to the builder of his house, that he would lay its foundation upon rock, that is, support it on faith in Christ, so that it will remain unmoved when the winds and rains and thunderstorms attack. For the Lord teaches us through this parable to remain immovable in the presence of temptations, both those of human and also of supernatural origin. Beyond this, he teaches us not to neglect the necessary things, but, having been equipped for the journey of life, to anticipate the coming of the bridegroom with eager hearts.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
A fool despiseth his father's instruction,.... They are fools that despise any instruction that is wise, good, and profitable; and especially a father's instruction, whose love, tender affection, and care, will not suffer him, knowingly, to give any but what is good and wholesome: wherefore to despise it is not only a contempt of his authority, but a slight of his love; which are both very aggravating, and sufficiently demonstrate his folly; and of which he may be himself convinced when it is too late, and say, "how have I hated instruction and despised reproof?" Pro 5:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֱוִ֗יל | ʾevil | a fool | H191 → | 26 times |
| יִ֭נְאַץ | yinatz | he spurns | H5006 → | 25 times |
| מוּסַ֣ר | musar | [the] discipline of | H4148 → | 50 times |
| אָבִ֑יו | ʾaviv | father his | H1 → | 1212 times |
| וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר | veshomer | and [one who] keeps | H8104 → | 468 times |
| תּוֹכַ֣חַת | tokhachat | correction | H8433 → | 28 times |
| יַעְרִֽם׃ | ya'rim | he is prudent | H6191 → |
אֱוִ֗ילa fool
ʾevilH191 →26 times
יִ֭נְאַץhe spurns
yinatzH5006 →25 times
מוּסַ֣ר[the] discipline of
musarH4148 →50 times
אָבִ֑יוfather his
ʾavivH1 →1212 times
וְשֹׁמֵ֖רand [one who] keeps
veshomerH8104 →468 times
תּוֹכַ֣חַתcorrection
tokhachatH8433 →28 times
יַעְרִֽם׃he is prudent
ya'rimH6191 →
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 19:20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
it leads to
- Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- Proverbs 8:34–35
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
- Proverbs 2:1–9
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- Proverbs 12:15
Through
1 Chronicles 28:20David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you…
it leads to
- 1 Chronicles 22:13
Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
- Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand…
- Joshua 1:5–9
No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- 1 Chronicles 22:13
Through
Proverbs 13:1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
it leads to
- Proverbs 9:7–8
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Proverbs 9:7–8
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Basil of Caesarea, HOMILY ON THE BEGINNING OF PROVERBS 11; Basil of Caesarea, HOMILY ON THE BEGINNING OF PROVERBS 6; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).