FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 17:20
KJVHe that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Read it in context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
Start reading at Proverbs 17:1 (Proverbs 17:1 to Proverbs 17:28).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
- 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
- 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
- 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
- 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
- 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
- 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
- 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
- 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
- 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
- 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
- 17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
- 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
- 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
- 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
- 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
- 17:20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
- 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
- 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
- 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
- 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
- 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
- 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness. Read Proverbs 17:1 through Proverbs 17:28 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness (Proverbs 17:1 to Proverbs 17:28). Start reading at Proverbs 17:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 17:1, Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- He that hath a froward heart Prov 3:32 Prov 6:12-15 Prov 8:13 Ps 18:26
- and he Prov 10:10,14,31 Prov 18:6-7 Eccl 10:12 Jas 3:6-8
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 17
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.