Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
2. but that ] The added word in R.V., but only that, brings out the force of the Heb.; q.d. so far from having any delight in understanding, his only delight is in blurting out his own ideas and opinions. There is perhaps, as Speaker’s Comm. suggests, an implied contrast with the “other form of egotism,” condemned in the preceding verse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Another form of egotism. In understanding, i. e., self-knowledge, the fool finds no pleasure; but self-assertion, talking about himself and his own opinions, is his highest joy.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. But that his heart may discover itself.] It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own nonsense and emptiness. But this verse may be understood as confirming the view already given of the preceding, and may be translated thus: “But a fool doth not delight in understanding, though it should even manifest itself:” so I understand ki im behithgalloth. The separated person seeks understanding in every hidden thing, and feels his toil well repaid when he finds it, even after the most painful and expensive search: the other regards it not, though its secret springs should be laid open to him without toil or expense.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In understanding; in getting sound and saving knowledge, either by his own study, or by the instructions of wise and good men.
But that his heart may discover itself. Heb. but (his delight is) in the discovery of his own heart, i.e. in uttering that folly and wickedness which is in his heart; being more forward to speak than to hear, which is one badge of a fool.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. that his heart . . . itselfthatis, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pro 12:23;Pro 15:2).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
A fool hath no delight in understanding,…. In natural understanding, and in the improvement of his mind in it; he delights not in books, nor in the conversation of men of learning and sense: or in spiritual understanding, in the understanding of spiritual things; these are foolishness to a natural man; nor does he delight in reading the Scriptures, nor in hearing the word, and attendance on it in the house of God, but is weary of such exercises;
but that his heart may discover itself; and the folly that is in it: such men only desire to have some knowledge and understanding, to make a show of it, that they may be thought to be wise, and to be capable of talking of things as if they understood them, when it is only to the exposing of themselves and their ignorance; some persons attain to no more learning and knowledge than just to be capable to show that they are fools. Or, “but in the discovery of his heart” k; he delights in discovering that; not the wisdom, but the folly that is in it.
k “sed in patefacere cor ejus”, Vatablus; “sed in detectione cordis sui”, Piscator; “sed sane ut enudet cor suum”, Schultens.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding;
But only that his heart may reveal itself therein.
The verb forms the fut. as well as ; first the latter from , with the primary meaning, to bow, to bend down; then both forms as intransitive, to bend oneself to something, to be inclined to something, Arab. ‘tf . (Fl.). is here the intelligence which consists in the understanding of one’s own deficiency, and of that which is necessary to meet it. The inclination of the fool goes not out after such intelligence, but ( ; according to Ben-Naphtali, ) only that his heart, i.e., the understanding which he thinks that he already possesses, may reveal itself, show itself publicly. He thinks thereby to show himself in his true greatness, and to render a weighty service to the world. This loquacity of the fool, proceeding from self-satisfaction, without self-knowledge, has already, Pro 12:23, and often, been reprimanded.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
A fool may pretend to understanding, and to seek and intermeddle with the means of it, but, 1. He has no true delight in it; it is only to please his friends or save his credit; he does not love his book, nor his business, nor his Bible, nor his prayers; he would rather be playing the fool with his sports. Those who take no pleasure in learning or religion will make nothing to purpose of either. No progress is made in them if they are a task and a drudgery. 2. He has no good design in it, only that his heart may discover itself, that he may have something to make a show with, something wherewith to varnish his folly, that that may pass off the better, because he loves to hear himself talk.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Egotistical Fool
Verse 2 declares that the fool derives no pleasure from true knowledge and understanding and is more concerned about expressing his own erroneous ideas, Pro 13:16; Pro 14:7; Pro 14:33; Pro 15:2; Pro 18:6-7.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(2) But that his heart may discover itselfi.e., unless his cleverness can be displayed thereby; he does not prize understanding for itself, apart from his own interests.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. May discover itself , ( behithgalloth,) he will take pleasure in uncovering his heart; his chief pleasure is to hear himself talk, in doing which he discloses his folly. Of course it is not his “desire” to make his folly apparent, but such is the result of his conduct. In Pro 20:19, the same word is rendered revealeth. Compare Pro 12:23; Pro 13:16; Pro 15:2.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 2. A fool hath no delight in understanding,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
What a refuge there is in a covenant God in Christ for a believer, however buffeted, to take shelter in? Let a child of God sit down if he will, and ponder over all his discouragements and difficulties; and I will be bold to say, that in the Lord’s name, that is in Christ Jesus, he will find somewhat exactly corresponding, to suit and answer for all. Is he poor? Christ’s name is riches; yea, durable riches and righteousness. Pro 8:18 . Is he surrounded with enemies? Then Christ is the mighty God. Isa 9:6 . Is he sick? He saith, I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exo 15:26 . Do his people need in critical moments a thousand supplies, they know not what, and they know not how? How blessed is that name by which Abraham called the Lord in his moment of necessity; Jehovah-jirah, the Lord shall provide; and at this day in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. Gen 22:14 . In short, in the name of Jehovah we have all; wisdom to guide, power to help, grace to save, mercy to pardon, righteousness to justify, and all temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings. Surely, Lord, they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psa 9:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Ver. 2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. ] Or, In discovering his own heart – i.e., in following his own humour, against all that can be said to the contrary. He is wilful, and so stands as a stake in the midst of a stream; lets all pass by him, but he stands where he was. It is easier to deal with twenty men’s reasons, than with one man’s will. He hath made his conclusion, you may as soon remove a rock as him. Quicquid vult valde vult, quicquid vult sanctum est. His will is his rule, and when a man hath said and done his utmost to convince him by force of reason, he shall find him like a mill horse, just there in the evening where he began his morning circuit. Some think that Solomon here taxeth, not so much the wilfulness, as the vain gloriousness and ostentation of fond fools, who seem to delight in wisdom; but it is only for a name, and that they may, by setting their good parts a-sunning, gain the applause and admiration of the world, for men singularly qualified. But why should any affect the vain praises of men, and not rest content with the euge of a good conscience? The blessed Virgin was troubled, when truly praised of an angel. Moses had more glory by his veil than by his face. Christ, beside the veil of his humanity, says, “See you tell no man,” &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fool. Hebrew. keslt. See note on Pro 1:7. Same word as in verses: Pro 18:6, Pro 18:7; not the same as in Pro 18:13.
discover = vent.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 18:2
Pro 18:2
“A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.”
“A fool has no pleasure in what is reasonable, but only in self-display. What is evident here is the inherent selfishness of the unregenerated soul.
Pro 18:2. A fool does not like to take in, to learn, but only to talk. Facts, figures, and business have no interest for the fool-only to talk, talk, talk, and he really has nothing to say that is, worth listening to. How often the Bible represents the fool as contented without learning or improving himself!
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
fool: Pro 1:7, Pro 1:22, Pro 17:16, Psa 1:1, Psa 1:2, Mat 8:34, 1Co 8:1
but: Num 24:15, Num 24:16, 1Co 14:12, Phi 1:15, 2Pe 2:15-19
Reciprocal: Psa 90:12 – that Psa 111:2 – that have Pro 2:10 – General Pro 8:9 – General Pro 14:6 – scorner Ecc 10:3 – and he Mat 13:19 – and understandeth Joh 7:4 – there Rom 1:31 – Without understanding
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may {b} reveal itself.
(b) That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatever comes to mind.