Bible Strands
Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses a reader observing human conduct, positioning the statement between a warning about a fool’s stubborn repetition of error and a slacker’s fabricated excuses.
The words — חָכָם (cha.Kham) identifies a person regarded as wise, while תִּקְוָה (tik.Vah) denotes expectation or hope.
The thread — Proverbs 26:5 warns against answering a fool lest he become wise in his own eyes, and Proverbs 29:20 parallels self-conceit with hasty speech. 1 Corinthians 3:18 applies the same warning against self-deception regarding worldly wisdom.
Why it lands — The text states that a person who trusts his own judgment is less likely to be corrected than a fool who acknowledges his folly. It asks readers to identify where self-reliance has replaced external correction.
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
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
- Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
- Proverbs 28:11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
- Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
- Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
- Matthew 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
- Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.