Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is considered wise if they keep silent, and discerning when they shut their lips.
Additional Resources
Other Translations
King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
KJV1611 – Modern English
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
King James Version 1611 (Original)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers
Even a fool,{H191} when he holdeth his peace,{H2790} is counted{H2803} wise;{H2450} When he shutteth{H331} his lips,{H8193} he is [esteemed as] prudent.{H995}
King James Version with Strong's Numbers
Even a fool{H191}, when he holdeth his peace{H2790}{(H8688)}, is counted{H2803}{(H8735)} wise{H2450}: and he that shutteth{H331}{(H8801)} his lips{H8193} is esteemed a man of understanding{H995}{(H8737)}.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yee a very foole (when he holdeth his tonge) is counted wyse, and to haue vnderstodinge, when he shutteth his lippes.
Geneva Bible (1560)
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Bishops' Bible (1568)
Yea, a very foole when he holdeth his tongue is counted wise: and he that stoppeth his lippes is esteemed prudent.
Authorized King James Version (1611)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
Webster's Bible (1833)
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
American Standard Version (1901)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is `esteemed as' prudent.
American Standard Version (1901)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Bible in Basic English (1941)
Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
World English Bible (2000)
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
NET Bible® (New English Translation)
Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.
Referenced Verses
- Job 13:5 : 5 If only you would keep silent, it would be wisdom for you.
- Prov 15:2 : 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of fools gushes folly.
- Eccl 10:14 : 14 A fool multiplies words; no one knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
- Eccl 5:3 : 3 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you promise.
- Eccl 10:3 : 3 Even while walking along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how foolish he is.
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- 84%
27 The one who holds back his words has knowledge, and the one who is calm in spirit is a person of understanding.
- 83%
11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man calmly holds it back.
- 79%
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
- 78%
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler among fools.
- 78%
16 Every prudent person acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts their folly.
- 77%
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- 77%
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of fools gushes folly.
- 77%
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
- 76%
3 Even while walking along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how foolish he is.
- 76%
14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings about ruin.
- Eccl 10:12-143 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?
- Prov 12:15-162 verses76%
15 The way of a fool seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent quietly overlook an insult.
- Prov 10:18-192 verses76%
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but the one who restrains his lips is wise.
- Prov 14:7-82 verses76%
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.
- 76%
5 If only you would keep silent, it would be wisdom for you.
- 75%
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but it becomes known even among fools.
- 75%
29 Whoever is patient shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered person promotes folly.
- 75%
3 It is honorable for a person to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
- 75%
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
- 75%
3 The mouth of a fool brings a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- Prov 14:16-172 verses75%
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.
- 74%
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 74%
8 A wise-hearted person accepts commands, but a fool with loose lips will come to ruin.
- 74%
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in revealing his own thoughts.
- Prov 26:4-52 verses74%
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- 74%
9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.
- Prov 16:22-232 verses74%
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his mouth prudent, and his lips promote learning.
- Prov 18:6-72 verses73%
6 A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his soul.
- 73%
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
- 73%
32 If you have acted foolishly by exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand over your mouth.
- 73%
9 When a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no peace.
- 72%
1 Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be a fool with twisted lips.
- 72%
24 Wisdom is before the face of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
- 72%
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields only folly.
- 72%
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
- 72%
7 Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; how much less deceitful speech for a ruler!
- 72%
23 Whoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps themselves from troubles.
- 71%
2 I said, 'I will guard my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth while the wicked are in my presence.'