Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
23. the heart ] Comp.
“The heart of fools is in their mouth;
But the mouth of wise men is their heart.” Sir 21:26 .
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Another aspect of the truth of Pro 10:14.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge.
Concealing knowledge
I. When it is opportune (Joh 16:12).
II. When it is above the capacity of his hearers (1Co 2:2).
III. When likely to be misapplied (Mar 15:5).
IV. When sure of rejection (Mat 7:6).
V. When calculated to injure the brethren (Lev 19:16).
VI. When to utter it would be only for self-display (Pro 27:2). (R. A. Griffin.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge] “If a fool hold his peace he may pass for a wise man.” I have known men of some learning, so intent on immediately informing a company how well cultivated their minds were, that they have passed either for insignificant pedants or stupid asses.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Concealeth knowledge; he doth not vain-gloriously and unseasonably utter what he knows, but keeps it in his breast till he hath a fit occasion to bring it forth for Gods glory, and the good of others.
Proclaimeth foolishness; whilst he makes ostentation of his knowledge, he betrays his ignorance and folly. Compare Ecc 10:3.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. concealethby his modesty(Pro 10:14; Pro 11:13).
heart . . . proclaimethashis lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec10:3).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
A prudent man concealeth knowledge,…. Of things natural or divine, which he is furnished with; not but that he is willing to communicate it, as he should, at proper times, in proper places, and to proper persons; but he does not needlessly and unseasonably speak of it; he does not make a show of it, or boast and brag of it: he modestly forbears to speak of what he knows, but when there is a necessity for it, even of that which may be lawfully divulged; which is a point of prudence and modesty; otherwise it is criminal to reveal secrets, or publish what should be kept private or should not be known. Aben Ezra interprets it of a wise man’s hiding his knowledge in his heart, that he may not forget it;
but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness; that which they have in their hearts and minds, and which they take for deep knowledge, profound and recondite learning, they proclaim with their mouths in a noisy and clamorous way; and while they declare their ill shaped notions, their incoherent and unconnected ideas of things, they betray their ignorance and folly, as ostentatious men do.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
And a heart-fool proclaims imbecility.
In 23a Pro 12:16 is repeated, only a little changed; also 16a corresponds with 23a, for, as is there said, the fool knows not how to keep his anger to himself, as here, that a heart-fool (cf. the lying mouth, 22a) proclaims (trumpets forth), or as Pro 13:16 says, displays folly without referring to himself the si tacuisses . To this forward charlatan blustering, which intends to preach wisdom and yet proclaims in the world mere folly, i.e., nonsense and imbecility, and thereby makes itself troublesome, and only to be laughed at and despised, stands in contrast the relation of the , homo callidus , who possesses knowledge, but keeps it to himself without bringing it forth till an occasion presents itself for setting it forth at the right place, at the right time, and to the right man. The right motive also regulates such silence as well as modesty. But this proverb places it under the point of view of prudence.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Note, 1. He that is wise does not affect to proclaim his wisdom, and it is his honour that he does not. He communicates his knowledge when it may turn to the edification of others, but he conceals it when the showing of it would only tend to his own commendation. Knowing men, if they be prudent men, will carefully avoid every thing that savours of ostentation, and not take all occasions to show their learning and reading, but only to use it for good purposes, and then let their own works praise them. Ars est celare artem–The perfection of art is to conceal it. 2. He that is foolish cannot avoid proclaiming his folly, and it is his shame that he cannot: The heart of fools, by their foolish words and actions, proclaims foolishness; either they do not desire to hide it, so little sense have they of good and evil, honour and dishonour, or they know not how to hide it, so little discretion have they in the management of themselves, Eccl. x. 3.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 12:23
THE CONCEALMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE PROCLAMATION OF FOOLISHNESS
I. The concealment of knowledge is always a mark of self-control. It proves that a man has himself well in hand. He is like a skilful workman whose tools are all arranged in order, so that he can select or reject them according to his need, or the need of others. Or he resembles a skilful rider who is thoroughly master of his steed, and can either arrest his course or urge him to put forth all his speed at any moment. If a man does not possess this power over himself he can never be a king among men, and even the possession of knowledge will not prove very serviceable either to himself or others. All the treasures of his mind ought to be under the lock and key of his will, and his will under that of his conscience, for,
II. Under some circumstances the concealment of knowledge is a mark of prudence.
1. It is so when to proclaim it would feed personal vanity. To reveal our knowledge from no other motive than to let others know that we know is to sin against ourselves by ministering to our pride. In such a case to conceal our knowledge is a means of grace to a mans own soul, and will carry with it the approbation of conscience.
2. It is also prudent to conceal knowledge when we know that it would not benefit others. It is not always seasonable to reveal even the most precious knowledge that we possess. Men are sometimes manifestly unprepared for its receptionunable to appreciate it. God concealed the gospel of salvation from the men of the early ages of the world because the fulness of time (Gal. 4:4) had not come, by which we understand that the world then was not in a condition to profit by a revelation of it. Our Lord charged His disciples not to disclose what they had witnessed on the mount of transfiguration until the Son of Man should be risen again from the dead (Mat. 17:9). He exhorts them also not to cast pearls before swine (Mat. 7:6). Hence we learn that concealment of knowledge is sometimes to be preferred to a revelation of it, and that a due regard must be had to the mental and moral condition of those to whom we would impart it. The revelation of scientific truth would only bewilder people of little education and small capacity, and the revelation of even moral truth would sometimes increase mens guilt. It would only lead them to blaspheme the God of Truth and scoff at His messengers, and thus harden them instead of enlightening them. And even when this is not the case men cannot always receive all kinds of moral truth. A parent conceals from his son when he is a boy a knowledge of things which he will reveal to him when he is a man. A wise teacher does not at once disclose to his pupil all that he desires him to learn. Both bring prudence into exercise, and give line upon line, here a little and there a little (Isa. 28:10), following the example of the Great Father and Teacher in His dealings with His ancient people, and that of the Incarnate Son when He said to His disciples, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. 16:12). All who are possessors of knowledge should always remember to bring prudence into exercise in proclaiming it, whether it be Divine or human truth that they have to reveal.
III. The man who tells out all he knows without any regard to the fitness of time and circumstance proclaims only his foolishness. He is as much a proclaimer of his own folly as he who should sow seed on the high road instead of in ploughed ground. He may be very injurious to others. If a teacher of the young were to tell out all he knows about men and things to those under his care he might inflict on their spiritual nature a life-long injury. Indiscreet parents who utter all their mind and tell out all their experience in the hearing of their children not only proclaim their foolishness, but are a curse to their family. They are like an unskilful surgeon who takes the first instrument that comes to hand, regardless of its fitness for the needs of the patient. They are like men upon a fiery steed without power to guide himthey not only put themselves in jeopardy but endanger the well-being of others.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Not that he grudges to impart his knowledge to others, but he does not obtrude it or make a display of it, nor babble out all that he knows, in order that he may be counted wise. The fool, trying to make a display of knowledge, only betrays foolishness. Fools, wise in their own esteem, babble out everything at random; not wisdom, which they have not, but foolishness, which they have. Proclaiming foolishness is attributed to a fools heart, not to his mouth, for a fools heart is in his mouth. He has no sense within. On the contrary, The mouth of the wise is in their heart (Sir. 21:26)Fausset.
The Apostle concealed his knowledge for fourteen years, and even then mentioned it reluctantly, to vindicate his own rightful claims of apostleship (2Co. 12:1-6). Elihu, though full of matter, and longing to give vent, yet prudently concealed his knowledge, till his elders had opened his way (Job. 32:6; Job. 32:18-19). Circumstances may sometimes prudently dictate concealment. Abraham spared the feelings of his family, and cleared his own path, by hiding the dreadful message of his God (Gen. 22:1-7). Joseph concealed his kindred for the discipline of his brethren (Gen. 42:7). Esther, from a prudent regard of consequences to herself (Est. 2:10). Nothing can justify speaking contrary to the truth. But we are not always obliged to tell the whole truth. Jeremiah answered all that he was bound to speak; not all that he might have spoken (Jer. 38:24). In all these cases the wise mans heart will discern both time and judgment (Ecc. 8:5; Ecc. 10:2). The fool is dogmatical in dispute, when wiser men are cautious. He is teaching, when he ought to take the learners place; his self-confidence proclaiming his emptiness (1Ti. 6:3-4).Bridges.
True are the words of Paul, knowledge puffeth up, and the augmentation of it may only puff up the more. This produces a very anomalous and incongruous combination, a mind filled with solid information and a heart distended with the emptiness of vanity. And this generates the pedant, one of the most contemptible and disgusting of all charactersthe man who is ever showing off, ever aiming at effect, ever speaking as nobody else would speak, ever dwelling on his own theme in his own terms, and in every word and look and movement, courting notice of self, as the only object of his own admiration, or worthy of the admiration of others. What a fool even the man of knowledge does at times make of himself! exemplifying the truth of the old quaint adage, An ounce of mother wit is worth a pound of clergy. Still it is true that, the more extensive the knowledge which a man acquires, he is, generally speaking, the more conscious of remaining ignorance, and consequently the less vain; that it is in the early stages of acquirement that self-sufficiency and conceit are most apparent. It is the empty that are usually the most prone to vain glory.Wardlaw.
Prudent. subtle, from a root meaning crafty, cunning; opposed to stupid, literally, fat, crass. The saint has the highest craft, and the lost are more fat in mind than even the beasts around them.Miller.
Another aspect of the truth of chap. Pro. 10:14. The wise is not quick to utter even the wisdom that deserves utterance. He broods over it, tests it, lives by it.Plumptre.
We deem them not the most thrifty husbands and wealthiest men that will lock up nothing in their coffers, nor keep anything close in their purses, but carry all their money in their hands and show it to every comer-by, and so do they that have no more matter within their hearts, than all the standers-by shall hear their lips deliver. It is a point of humility to be silent in modesty, and their words are so much more desirable, and better accepted as they are rare, and few, and seasonable. The ointment that is close kept in a box will yield a sweeter savour when it is poured out, than that which is continually open. A wine fresh from the vessel hath a better relish than that which was drawn long before there was any need of it.Dod.
Think not silence the wisdom of fools, but, if rightly timed, the honour of wise men who have not the infirmity but the virtue of taciturnity; and speak not of the abundance, but the well-weighed thoughts of their hearts. Such silence may be eloquence, and speak thy worth above the power of words. Make such an one thy friend, in whom princes may be happy, and great counsels successful. Let him have the key of thy heart who hath the lock of his own, which no temptation can open; where thy secrets may lastingly lie, like the lamp in the urn of Olybius, alive and alight, but close and invisible.Sir T. Browne.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge.Till the right opportunity for bringing it forth presents itself; while the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness, cannot help blurting out and displaying its ignorance and folly, which it mistakes for wisdom.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. A prudent man A wary or subtle man.
Concealeth knowledge Does not tell all he knows; wisely retains his knowledge for his own benefit. Comp. Pro 10:14.
Proclaimeth foolishness Or folly. Dr. Clarke has a sharp note on this: “I have,” he says, “known men of some learning so intent on immediately informing a company how well cultivated their minds were, that they have passed either for insignificant pedants or stupid asses.” “The heart of fools is in their mouth; but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.” Sir 21:26 . Comp. Pro 10:14; Pro 13:16; Pro 15:2.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 12:23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Ver. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge, ] scil., Till he finds a fit time to vent it; for then “the lips of the wise do spread abroad knowledge.” Pro 15:7 He is no niggard where there is need, but loves not to outlash. Taciturnity is a virtue with him; Tacitus a good historian, Persae magnam rem sustineri posse non credunt ab eo cui tacere grave sit; a – The Persians hold not him fit for great employments that cannot keep counsel, saith Curtius.
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
a Curtius, lib. iv.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
concealeth knowledge. Illustrations: Samuel (1Sa 9:27. Compare Pro 10:16); Nehemiah (Neh 6:2, Neh 6:3).
fools. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Pro 1:7. Not the same word as in verses: Pro 12:15, Pro 12:16, Pro 12:24
shall bear rule. Illustrations: Eleazar (Gen 24:2, Gen 24:10); Joseph (Gen 39:4, Gen 39:22); Jeroboam (1Ki 11:28).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 12:23
Pro 12:23
“A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.”
Keil’s rendition is: “A prudent man conceals knowledge, and a heart-fool proclaims imbecility.” Moffatt has; “No cautious man blurts out all that he knows, but a fool comes out with his folly.”
Pro 12:23. A triple contrast: prudent vs. fools; concealeth vs. proclaimeth; and knowledge vs. foolishness. Why would a prudent man conceal knowledge? He is not wont to utter unadvisedly what he knows but waits for fitting opportunity, either from humility or wise caution (Pulpit Commentary). In contrast a foolish man cannot help exposing the stupid ideas that arise in his mind (Pulpit Commentary).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
A prudent: Pro 10:19, Pro 11:13, Pro 13:16
but: Pro 15:2, Ecc 10:3, Ecc 10:12-14
Reciprocal: Jdg 16:17 – all his heart Pro 14:33 – General Pro 15:14 – the mouth Pro 29:11 – General Mar 7:22 – foolishness Eph 5:4 – filthiness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 12:23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge He doth not vain- gloriously and unseasonably utter what he knows, but keeps it in his breast till he hath a fit occasion to bring it forth for Gods glory, and the good of others; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness The heart of a foolish man induces him to make ostentation of his knowledge, whereby he betrays his ignorance and folly.