Proverbs 10:23

KJV

¶ [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is as sport {H7814} to a fool {H3684} to do {H6213} mischief {H2154}: but a man {H376} of understanding {H8394} hath wisdom {H2451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To a fool, vileness is like a game, as is wisdom to a person of discernment.

Berean Standard Bible

The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

American Standard Version

It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; Andso iswisdom to a man of understanding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:23 starkly contrasts the character and disposition of a fool with that of a person of understanding. It reveals that a fool finds perverse amusement and delight in engaging in malicious and wicked deeds, treating serious moral transgressions as mere play. In direct opposition, the individual endowed with true understanding is characterized by wisdom, which guides their choices and actions away from destructive paths and towards righteousness, demonstrating a profound difference in their moral compass and sources of joy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10:23 is situated within the main collection of "The Proverbs of Solomon" (chapters 10-29), which primarily consists of individual, independent sayings. This section is largely characterized by **antithetical parallelism**, a literary device where two contrasting lines are juxtaposed to highlight a moral or practical truth. This specific proverb perfectly exemplifies this structure, setting the fool's behavior in direct opposition to that of the wise person. This recurring theme of wisdom versus folly is central to the entire book of Proverbs, emphasizing the two distinct paths available to humanity and the inevitable consequences associated with each. The verse functions as a concise moral instruction, typical of the collection, designed to impart discernment and guide conduct.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs emerges from the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which sought to transmit practical and moral instruction across generations. In ancient Israel, wisdom was not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical skill for living righteously and successfully in God's world. It was often taught within families and in specialized wisdom schools, aiming to shape character and conduct. The concept of a "fool" (Hebrew: *kᵉçîyl*) in this context is not merely someone lacking intelligence, but rather someone who is morally deficient, resistant to instruction, and often delights in sin. Conversely, a "man of understanding" embodies the ideal of a discerning individual whose life is ordered according to divine principles. The proverbs served as foundational ethical guidelines for navigating societal interactions, ensuring justice, and fostering community well-being.

* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it deepens the theme of **the nature of foolishness**, portraying it not just as ignorance but as a moral perversion where wrongdoing is trivialized and even enjoyed. This is echoed in other proverbs, such as when [fools make a mock at sin](/proverbs/14-9 "Proverbs 14:9 - Fools Mock at Sin"). Secondly, it highlights the **value and necessity of true wisdom and understanding**. Wisdom in Proverbs is intrinsically linked to the fear of the Lord (as seen in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord")), providing a moral compass that guides one away from destructive actions and towards a life of integrity and righteousness. The contrast also underscores the **consequences of choices**: the path of the fool leads to ruin, while the path of the wise leads to life and blessing, a dichotomy foundational to the entire wisdom tradition, as illustrated by the [two ways of life](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Two Ways").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sport (Hebrew, _sᵉchôwq'_):** From the root meaning "to laugh," this word denotes laughter, merriment, or play. When applied to the fool's actions, it implies a perverse sense of amusement, mockery, or trivialization of serious wrongdoing. It suggests that the fool finds joy or entertainment in acts that should elicit shame or remorse, indicating a profound moral distortion.
* **Fool (Hebrew, _kᵉçîyl'_):** This term describes someone who is not merely unintelligent but morally and spiritually obtuse. A *kᵉçîyl* is stubbornly resistant to wisdom, instruction, and correction, often acting impulsively and self-destructively. Their foolishness is a deep-seated character flaw that manifests in their actions and attitudes, including their delight in mischief.
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** This word signifies a plan, especially a bad one, encompassing heinous crime, lewdness, or wicked devices. It refers to depraved, morally perverse, or scandalous acts. The fool's "sport" is not in harmless pranks but in genuinely harmful and morally corrupt behavior, underscoring the severity of their twisted disposition.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** This term refers to intelligence, discretion, reason, or skilfulness. It implies the ability to discern, comprehend, and apply knowledge wisely. A "man of understanding" possesses insight into the true nature of things, distinguishing between good and evil, and therefore avoids the destructive path of the fool.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** In the context of Proverbs, *chokmâh* is not just intellectual acumen but practical, moral, and spiritual discernment rooted in the fear of God. It is the ability to live skillfully and righteously in accordance with God's will, leading to sound judgment and actions that honor God and benefit others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief":** This clause reveals the depraved nature of the fool. For them, engaging in *mischief*—which encompasses wicked schemes, moral perversion, and harmful acts—is not a burden or a source of guilt, but rather a source of amusement and pleasure, akin to a game or sport. This highlights a fundamental flaw in their moral compass, where evil is trivialized and even enjoyed, demonstrating a profound lack of empathy, conscience, or recognition of the gravity of their actions.
* **"but a man of understanding hath wisdom":** This clause presents a stark contrast to the first. The "man of understanding" is characterized by the possession of *wisdom*. This wisdom is not merely theoretical knowledge but a practical, moral discernment that guides their choices. Unlike the fool who delights in harm, the wise person's understanding leads them to recognize and pursue what is good, right, and beneficial, thereby avoiding the destructive path of mischief and embracing a life aligned with righteous principles.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 10:23 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. This structure is foundational to much of the book of Proverbs, where two contrasting ideas or statements are placed side-by-side to highlight a moral truth. Here, the "fool" and their delight in "mischief" are directly opposed to the "man of understanding" who possesses "wisdom." This sharp contrast effectively emphasizes the vast moral and behavioral chasm between these two character types. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the fool finding "sport" in mischief; what should be a source of shame and negative consequence is twisted into a source of amusement, revealing a deeply perverted sense of values. The phrase "as sport" also functions as a **Simile**, comparing the act of doing mischief to a game, further emphasizing the fool's trivialization of serious wrongdoing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 10:23 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of the human heart's condition and the fundamental distinction between those who walk in darkness and those who walk in light. The fool's delight in mischief underscores the pervasive nature of sin, which can so corrupt the human spirit that it finds pleasure in actions that are inherently destructive and contrary to God's character. This aligns with the biblical teaching that the unregenerate heart is prone to evil and finds satisfaction in unrighteousness, as seen in the [depravity described in Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - The Depravity of Humanity"). Conversely, the "man of understanding" possessing wisdom points to the transformative power of divine truth. True wisdom, rooted in the fear of the Lord, reorients the heart and mind, enabling discernment and guiding one towards righteousness. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but spiritual, leading to a life that honors God and seeks the good of others, reflecting the call to holiness found throughout Scripture.

* [Proverbs 14:9](/proverbs/14-9 "Proverbs 14:9 - Fools Mock at Sin")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Psalm 1:1-6](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This proverb challenges us to deeply examine the inclinations of our own hearts. Do we, perhaps subtly, find amusement or satisfaction in things that are contrary to God's character or harmful to others? This could manifest as delighting in gossip, finding humor in someone's misfortune, or trivializing moral compromises in our own lives or in society. Proverbs 10:23 calls us to cultivate a profound aversion to evil and a genuine love for righteousness. It encourages us to pray for and actively pursue the wisdom that comes from God, which enables us to discern what is truly good and to find our joy in living according to His righteous standards. Our moral compass dictates the source of our deepest pleasures; true wisdom directs our delight towards integrity, truth, and acts of love, rather than the fleeting and destructive "sport" of mischief.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly finding "sport" in something that is actually "mischief" or contrary to God's will?**
* **How does my attitude towards sin reflect the "fool" or the "man of understanding"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper love for wisdom and a stronger aversion to evil in my daily life?**
* **How can I ensure that my sources of joy align with God's righteous character?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for "mischief" to be "sport" to a fool?**

Answer: For "mischief" to be "sport" to a fool means that a morally deficient person finds amusement, delight, or even a sense of playfulness in engaging in wicked, harmful, or morally corrupt acts. It implies a perverse enjoyment of wrongdoing, a trivialization of sin, and a complete lack of remorse or conscience regarding the negative consequences of their actions on themselves or others. Instead of feeling shame or guilt, the fool experiences a twisted form of pleasure, treating serious moral transgressions as if they were a game. This highlights the depth of their moral depravity and their resistance to true wisdom and righteousness.

**How does one become a "man of understanding" who "hath wisdom"?**

Answer: Becoming a "man of understanding" who "hath wisdom" is a journey rooted in a relationship with God. The book of Proverbs consistently teaches that [the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord"). This "fear" is not terror, but a reverent awe and submission to God's authority and truth. Practically, it involves diligently studying God's Word (the source of divine wisdom, as seen in [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp")), seeking His guidance through prayer, listening to wise counsel, and actively applying biblical principles to daily life. It is a process of moral and spiritual transformation, where one's mind and heart are renewed to discern and choose what is good and righteous, leading to a life characterized by sound judgment and integrity, as encouraged in [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:23 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who stands as the perfect embodiment of true wisdom and the antithesis of the fool. While the fool finds "sport" in mischief, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), never engaged in any mischief or sin. He lived a life of perfect righteousness, embodying the very wisdom that the "man of understanding" possesses. Indeed, the New Testament declares that Christ Himself has become [our wisdom from God](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom"), for in Him are [hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ"). He did not delight in evil, but perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father, even to the point of death on the cross, where He bore the full weight of humanity's foolishness and mischief. Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers redemption from the path of the fool, granting His followers a new heart and the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to walk in true wisdom and to find their delight not in sin, but in righteousness and in God Himself, as demonstrated by the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 15:21

¶ Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Proverbs 14:9

¶ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

Proverbs 2:14

Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

Proverbs 26:18

¶ As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

Proverbs 26:19

So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.