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Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/14-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/20_Pro_14_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 14:24 - The Wise Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the effort of fools yields only foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise <i>is</i> their riches: <i>but</i> the foolishness of fools <i>is</i> folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, <i>But</i> the foolishness of fools <i>is</i> folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, <i>But</i> the foolishness of fools is <i>simply</i> foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, <i>But</i> the folly of fools is foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, <i>But</i> the folly of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom], But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches; But the folly of fools is only folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wisdom can make you rich, but foolishness leads to more foolishness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches: but the folly of fools is only folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The crown of wise people is their wealth. The stupidity of fools is just that-stupidity!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Wise people are rewarded with wealth, but fools are known by their foolishness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth, "" The folly of fools [is] folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The crown of the wise is their wealth, The folly of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches: the folly of the foolish, folly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wealth. The senselessness of the foolish is imprudence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is wealth; the diadem of fools is folly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches; but the perverseness of fools is their folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A crown of the wise is their wealth, and the way of life of fools is their insanity.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The crown of the wise is their riches; But the folly of fools remaineth folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/14-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2713" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">The Wise Woman</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5850.htm" title="5850: ‘ă·ṭe·reṯ (N-fsc) -- A crown, wreath. From atar; a crown.">The crown</a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥă·ḵā·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">of the wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/6239.htm" title="6239: ‘ā·šə·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Riches. From ashar; wealth.">is their wealth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/200.htm" title="200: ’iw·we·leṯ (N-fsc) -- Folly. From the same as 'eviyl; silliness.">but the effort</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: kə·sî·lîm (N-mp) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">of fools</a> <a href="/hebrew/200.htm" title="200: ’iw·we·leṯ (N-fs) -- Folly. From the same as 'eviyl; silliness.">is folly.</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13</a></span><br />Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:12</a></span><br />For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-14</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a></span><br />but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Proverbs 8:10-11</a></span><br />Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. / For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a></span><br />that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Proverbs 16:16</a></span><br />How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6-7</a></span><br />Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-14.htm">Proverbs 10:14</a></span><br />The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-17.htm">Ephesians 1:17-18</a></span><br />that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a></span><br />The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7-9</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. / Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. / She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-21.htm">Luke 12:21</a></span><br />This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Proverbs 19:8</a></span><br />He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.</p><p class="hdg">crown</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/112-9.htm">Psalm 112:9</a></b></br> He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11,12</a></b></br> Wisdom <i>is</i> good with an inheritance: and <i>by it there is</i> profit to them that see the sun… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/33-6.htm">Isaiah 33:6</a></b></br> And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, <i>and</i> strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD <i>is</i> his treasure.</p><p class="hdg">foolishness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-22.htm">Proverbs 27:22</a></b></br> Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, <i>yet</i> will not his foolishness depart from him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10-13</a></b></br> For he seeth <i>that</i> wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19,20</a></b></br> And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, <i>and</i> be merry… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/14-18.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-26.htm">Crowns</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-18.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-18.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-18.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-9.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-9.htm">Garland</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-26.htm">Head</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-8.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-21.htm">Round</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-8.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-20.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-8.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-16.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm">Yields</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-31.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/songs/7-5.htm">Crowns</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Garland</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-31.htm">Head</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Round</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-6.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/hosea/8-7.htm">Yields</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">A wise woman builds her house</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The crown of the wise is their wealth</b><br>In biblical times, a crown symbolized honor, authority, and achievement. The "crown of the wise" suggests that wisdom leads to tangible benefits, often seen as wealth. This wealth is not merely material but includes spiritual and relational prosperity. In the context of Proverbs, wisdom is highly valued and is often associated with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). The wise person, through prudent living and godly fear, accumulates wealth that is both material and spiritual. This aligns with the biblical principle that God blesses those who seek wisdom (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>). The wealth of the wise can also be seen as a metaphor for the richness of life that comes from living according to God's principles.<p><b>but the effort of fools is folly</b><br>In contrast, the "effort of fools" results in folly, indicating that despite their labor, fools achieve nothing of lasting value. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, folly was not just a lack of intelligence but a moral failing, a rejection of God's wisdom. The fool's efforts are misguided because they lack the foundation of wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). This phrase underscores the biblical theme that without wisdom, human efforts are futile (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:14</a>). The fool's labor leads to folly, which is self-destructive and ultimately unproductive. This contrast between the wise and the foolish is a recurring theme in Proverbs, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and he is credited with compiling many of the wise sayings found in the Book of Proverbs.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wise.htm">The Wise</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who live according to God's principles, valuing wisdom and understanding. They are often contrasted with fools, who reject wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/fools.htm">Fools</a></b><br>In biblical literature, fools are those who disregard God's wisdom and live according to their own understanding. Their actions often lead to negative consequences.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is portrayed as a crown, symbolizing honor and authority. In a conservative Christian perspective, this suggests that living wisely according to God's principles brings true wealth and honor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_foolishness.htm">The Futility of Foolishness</a></b><br>The efforts of fools are described as folly, indicating that without wisdom, human endeavors are ultimately meaningless and unproductive.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_wealth_over_material_wealth.htm">Spiritual Wealth Over Material Wealth</a></b><br>While the verse acknowledges the material benefits of wisdom, it also implies that true wealth is spiritual. Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding as their primary treasures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_wisdom_in_daily_life.htm">Practical Wisdom in Daily Life</a></b><br>Applying wisdom in everyday decisions leads to a life that reflects God's glory and results in blessings that go beyond material wealth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_mark_11_23_mean.htm">What does a shameful wife symbolize for her husband?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_proverbs_say_on_laziness.htm">What does Proverbs say about lazy people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_19_14_limit_free_will.htm">Proverbs 19:14 credits God alone for providing a prudent spouse--does this diminish human choice or contradict free will elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_truth_according_to_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible teach about money?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(24) <span class= "bld">The crown of the wise is their riches.--</span>They adorn and set off the wisdom of the wise, and bring it more prominently into notice; but the "foolishness of fools" remains folly. The rich fool only displays his folly all the more from being set in a conspicuous position.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The crown of the wise is their riches.</span> This is taken by some ('Speaker's Commentary') to mean the glory of the wise man, the fame and splendour which surround him, constitute his wealth; but it is better to interpret it thus: Riches are an ornament to a wise man; they enhance and set off his wisdom in the eyes of others, enable him to use it to advantage, and are not the snare which they might be because they are employed religiously and profitably for the good of others. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11</a>, "Wisdom is good together with an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun." The Septuagint has, "The crown of the wise is the clever man (<span class="greek">πανοῦργος</span>)," for which has been substituted by some editors, in agreement with the present Hebrew text, <span class="greek">πλοῦτους αὐτῶν</span>, " their wealth." The Greek translators, according to their reading, denote that one eminently clever man is a glory to the whole body of wise men. <span class="cmt_word">But the folly of fools is only folly;</span> that is, even though it were accompanied with riches. Decorate folly as you may, trick it out in gaud and ornament, it is still nothing but folly, and is discerned as such, and <span class="accented">that</span> all the more for being made conspicuous. Schultens, followed by Wordsworth, finds a play of words here. The words rendered "fool" and "folly" imply "fatness," like the Greek <span class="greek">παχὺς</span> and the Latin <span class="accented">crassus</span>, which have also this double meaning. So the sentence reads, "Riches are a crown to the wise; but the abundant fatness of fools is only fatness." The last clause is translated by the LXX., "But the fools' way of life (<span class="greek">διατριβὴ</span>) is evil." St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 22:8) comments on this verse thus: "It was these riches of wisdom that Solomon having before his eyes, saith, 'The crown of the wise is their riches.' Which same person, because it is not metals of earth, but understanding, that he calls by the name of riches, thereupon adds by way of a contrary, 'But the foolishness of fools is imprudence.' For if he called earthly riches the crown of the wise. surely he would own the senselessness of fools to be poverty rather than imprudence. But whereas he added, 'the foolishness of fools is imprudence,' he made it plain that he called prudence 'the riches of the wise'" (Oxford tran cf.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/14-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The crown</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲטֶ֣רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ṭe·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5850.htm">Strong's 5850: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crown, wreath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wise</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲכָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḵā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is their wealth,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשְׁרָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·šə·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6239.htm">Strong's 6239: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wealth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[but] the effort</span><br /><span class="heb">אִוֶּ֖לֶת</span> <span class="translit">(’iw·we·leṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_200.htm">Strong's 200: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silliness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of fools</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּסִילִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(kə·sî·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] folly.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִוֶּֽלֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(’iw·we·leṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_200.htm">Strong's 200: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silliness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/14-24.htm">Proverbs 14:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/14-24.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 14:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/14-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 14:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>