Proverbs 10:23
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
Additional Resources
Other Translations
King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
KJV1611 – Modern English
It is as a sport to a fool to do mischief, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
King James Version 1611 (Original)
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers
It is as sport{H7814} to a fool{H3684} to do{H6213} wickedness;{H2154} And [so is] wisdom{H2451} to a man{H376} of understanding.{H8394}
King James Version with Strong's Numbers
It is as sport{H7814} to a fool{H3684} to do{H6213}{(H8800)} mischief{H2154}: but a man{H376} of understanding{H8394} hath wisdom{H2451}.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
A foole doth wickedly & maketh but a sporte of it: neuertheles it is wysdome for a man to bewarre of soch.
Geneva Bible (1560)
It is as a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly: but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man.
Bishops' Bible (1568)
A foole doth wickedly, and maketh but a sport of it: but wisdome ruleth the man that hath vnderstandyng.
Authorized King James Version (1611)
¶ [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Webster's Bible (1833)
It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, But wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)
To execute inventions `is' as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.
American Standard Version (1901)
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And `so is' wisdom to a man of understanding.
American Standard Version (1901)
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Bible in Basic English (1941)
It is sport to the foolish man to do evil, but the man of good sense takes delight in wisdom.
World English Bible (2000)
It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
NET Bible® (New English Translation)
Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.
Referenced Verses
- Prov 15:21 : 21 Foolishness brings joy to one lacking sense, but a person of understanding walks a straight path.
- Prov 2:14 : 14 from those who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perversity of wickedness.
- Prov 14:9 : 9 Fools mock at making amends for guilt, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- Prov 26:18-19 : 18 Like a madman who shoots fiery arrows, arrows, and death, 19 so is the one who deceives their neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'
- Eccl 11:9 : 9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart be glad in the days of your prime. Follow the ways of your heart and the sights of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- 82%
21 Foolishness brings joy to one lacking sense, but a person of understanding walks a straight path.
- Prov 14:6-94 verses78%
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy for a discerning person.
7 Move away from a foolish person, for you will gain no knowledge from their speech.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand their path, but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at making amends for guilt, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- 77%
16 Every prudent person acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts their folly.
- 77%
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but it becomes known even among fools.
- 77%
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in revealing his own thoughts.
- Eccl 10:12-154 verses76%
12 The words of a wise person's mouth bring favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of a fool's speech is foolishness, and the end of it is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words; no one knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 The work of fools wearies them because they do not even know how to go to the city.
- 76%
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
- 76%
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
- 76%
3 A man’s foolishness twists his way, and his heart rages against the LORD.
- 76%
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
- Prov 17:24-252 verses76%
24 Wisdom is before the face of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
- 76%
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes.
- Prov 14:16-172 verses76%
16 The wise fear and turn away from evil, but fools are reckless and overconfident.
17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and one who devises evil is hated.
- Eccl 7:4-63 verses76%
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools—this too is meaningless.
- 76%
11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man calmly holds it back.
- Eccl 10:2-32 verses75%
2 A wise person's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart inclines him to the left.
3 Even while walking along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how foolish he is.
- 75%
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields only folly.
- Prov 10:13-142 verses75%
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of those who lack understanding.
14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings about ruin.
- 75%
15 The way of a fool seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
- 75%
19 so is the one who deceives their neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'
- 74%
3 It is honorable for a person to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
- 74%
20 Valuable treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows them up.
- 74%
9 When a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no peace.
- 74%
16 Why should a fool pay for wisdom when he has no intention of understanding it?
- 74%
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
- 73%
21 The one who fathers a fool brings grief; the father of a senseless child has no joy.
- 73%
10 The one who winks with an eye causes trouble, and a fool with loose lips will come to ruin.
- 73%
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.
- 73%
8 A wise-hearted person accepts commands, but a fool with loose lips will come to ruin.
- 73%
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
- 73%
29 Whoever is patient shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered person promotes folly.
- Prov 13:19-202 verses73%
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.
- 73%
9 The plans of foolishness are sinful, and the mocker is detestable to others.
- 73%
26 To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and storing wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- 73%
10 A master archer who wounds all and one who hires a fool or passersby are alike.
- 73%
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- 73%
3 The mouth of a fool brings a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.