King James Version

Proverbs 15:14

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

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Hebrew

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לֵ֣בlevcomfortablyלֵבnoun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “comfortably”, the ordinary formH3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything[phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom]…נָ֭בוֹןnavonunderstandבִּיןverb, niphal, participle, absolute — “understand”, a verb used as a describing wordH995to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understandattend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) und…יְבַקֶּשׁyevaqeshbeseechבָּקַשׁverb, piel, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “beseech”, an unfinished actionH1245to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive afterask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).דָּ֑עַתdaatcunningדַּעַתnoun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “cunning”, the ordinary formH1847knowledgecunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly).ופניvfnyand a- foreפָּנִיםconjunction, noun, common, both genders, plural, construct — “and a- fore”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)[phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-…וּפִ֥יufiand edgeפֶּהconjunction, noun, common, masculine, singular, construct — “and edge”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according toaccord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] s…כְ֝סִילִ֗יםkhesilimfoolכְּסִילadjective, adjective, masculine, plural, absolute — “fool”, the ordinary formH3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or sillyfool(-ish).יִרְעֶ֥הyirehcompanionרָעָהverb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “companion”, an unfinished actionH7462to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)[idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.אִוֶּֽלֶתiveletfollyאִוֶּלֶתnoun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “folly”, the ordinary formH200sillinessfolly, foolishly(-ness).

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

Young’s Literal Translation

The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

World English Bible

The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Darby Translation

The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.

Douay-Rheims

The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Καρδία ὀρθὴ ζητεῖ αἴσθησιν, στόμα δὲ ἀπαιδεύτων γνώσεται κακά.