Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:7
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses the reader directly, placing a practical directive between two contrasts about wisdom and folly. The instruction follows the observation that discerning people easily gain knowledge and precedes the warning that fools are deceived by their own folly.
The words — The opening imperative לֵ֣ךְ (lekh) literally means "go" or "depart," commanding distance from the כְּסִ֑יל (ke.Sil), identified as "a fool." The verb יָ֝דַ֗עְתָּ (ya.Da'.ta) "you will know" explicitly denies the acquisition of דָֽעַת (Da.'at), "knowledge," from the fool's lips.
The thread — This directive parallels Proverbs 13:20, which contrasts the wisdom gained from walking with the wise against the ruin of companionship with fools. It aligns with the command in Proverbs 9:6 to abandon folly and the New Testament instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to refuse fellowship with those who claim faith but practice destructive behavior.
Why it lands — The text demands deliberate separation from foolish company as a practical prerequisite for gaining understanding. It requires the reader to accept that proximity to folly actively blocks knowledge rather than merely failing to provide it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- Proverbs 9:6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- Proverbs 19:27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.