Proverbs 15:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:21

Note, 1. It is the character of a wicked man that he takes pleasure in sin; he has an appetite to the bait, and swallows it greedily, and has no dread of the hook, nor feels from it when he has swallowed it: Folly is joy to him; the folly of others is so, and his own much more. He sins, not only without regret, but with delight, not only repents not of it, but makes his boast of it. This is a certain sign of one that is graceless. 2. It is the character of a wise and good man that he makes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:21

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom ,.... Or "that wants a heart" F17 לחסר לב "carenti corde", Montanus; "ei qui deficitur", Schultens. , a wise and understanding one; by "folly" is meant sin, for all sin is folly; and that is very pleasing and joyous to a wicked he chooses it and delights in it; instead of being ashamed of it, and sorry for it, he glories in it, and makes his boast of it; and not only takes pleasure in committing it himself, but also in those that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:18-23

Facets of moral truth Again flashing upon us, mostly in the light of contrast. As, indeed, from precious stones and false paste, up to the highest truths of the spirit, we can know nothing truly except by the comparison of its opposite. I. HASTE OF TEMPER AND LONG SUFFERING . ( Proverbs 15:18 .) Quarrelsomeness, irritable words (would that we could recall them!), a thousand stabs and wounds to the heart of our friend and to our own, the result of the former. For the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:21

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; literally, void of heart ; i.e. of understanding ( Proverbs 10:23 ). The perverse, self-willed fool finds pleasure in going on his evil way, and exposing the fatuity which he takes for wisdom. Septuagint, "The ways of the senseless are wanting in intelligence." A man of understanding walketh uprightly; goes the right way. It is implied that the fool goes the wrong way. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 15:20-21

Proverbs 15:20-21. A wise son, &c. See the note on chap. 10:1, where we have the same proverb. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom He not only works wickedness, but takes pleasure in doing it; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly Hebrew, יישׁר לכת , directeth, or maketh straight, his going; that is, ordereth all his actions by the rule of God’s word, and delights in so doing, as may be understood from the opposite clause. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-33

Bringing joy to others (15:1-33)Words can easily cheer others or enrage them, help them or hinder them. Therefore, people should think carefully about what they say (15:1-5). In addition to being wise in their speech, they must be honest in the way they earn their income (6-7). In fact, they must be upright in all aspects of their daily lives. Only then will God, from whom nothing can be hidden, accept their sacrifices and prayers (8-11). Another matter concerning habits of speech is that those... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 15:21

wisdom. Hebrew. leb = "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the knowledge it should possess. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 15:21

"Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.""This stresses the element of choice in the career of the fool. The playboy follows his fancy; the man of discernment is concerned to set a straight course for his life."[21] "To act the idiot is fun to the empty-headed, but the man of intelligence forges straight ahead."[22] read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 15:21

21. walketh uprightly—and so finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 10:23). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 15:1-33

8. Further advice for wise living chs. 14-15These proverbs are more difficult to group together under a general heading because there are fewer common ideas that tie them together. read more