Proverbs 12:23

KJV

¶ A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

KJV (with Strong's)

A prudent {H6175} man {H120} concealeth {H3680} knowledge {H1847}: but the heart {H3820} of fools {H3684} proclaimeth {H7121} foolishness {H200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A cautious person conceals knowledge, but the heart of a fool blurts out folly.

Berean Standard Bible

A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

American Standard Version

A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 12:23 succinctly contrasts the discerning nature of a wise individual with the impulsive revelation of folly characteristic of a fool. It highlights that a prudent person exercises self-control and discretion, carefully guarding their knowledge and choosing when and how to impart it, thereby preserving their integrity and the value of their insights. In stark opposition, the fool's inner disposition compels them to openly and carelessly broadcast their lack of wisdom, often to their own detriment and the exposure of their foolishness. This proverb underscores the profound impact of speech and the critical importance of thoughtful restraint in communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 12:23 is situated within the "Proverbs of Solomon" (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), a collection characterized by antithetical parallelism, where contrasting ideas are presented to highlight the differences between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness. This particular verse fits seamlessly into the broader discourse on the power of the tongue and the virtues of discretion and humility, which are recurring themes throughout the book. Chapters like [Proverbs 10](/proverbs/10 "Proverbs 10 - Wise and Foolish Speech") and [Proverbs 13](/proverbs/13 "Proverbs 13 - The Value of Discretion") frequently revisit the consequences of speech and silence, positioning this verse as a core tenet of practical wisdom for daily living.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with the ability to navigate life successfully and maintain a good reputation within the community. Speech was a primary means of communication, and one's words carried significant weight, reflecting directly on one's character and standing. Public pronouncements, whether in legal settings, community gatherings, or daily interactions, were closely observed. Discretion was not merely a personal virtue but a social necessity, as careless or foolish speech could bring shame upon an individual and their family. The "prudent man" embodied the ideal of thoughtful conduct, while the "fool" represented a deviation from societal norms and a source of potential disruption.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Proverbs. It primarily underscores the theme of **Discretion and Self-Control**, emphasizing that true wisdom involves not just possessing knowledge but knowing when to use it and when to withhold it. This ties into the broader theme of **The Power of the Tongue**, illustrating how words can either build up or tear down, reveal wisdom or expose folly. The contrast between the "prudent man" and the "heart of fools" also highlights the theme of **Character Revelation**, suggesting that one's speech is a direct outflow of one's inner disposition. The fool's inability to restrain their speech reveals an inherent lack of judgment, aligning with the negative portrayal of the fool found in passages like [Proverbs 17:28](/proverbs/17-28 "Proverbs 17:28 - Even a Fool, When He Holds His Peace, Is Counted Wise"), where even a fool can appear wise by remaining silent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prudent (Hebrew, _ʻârûwm'_):** From H6175, this term describes someone who is cunning, shrewd, or subtil. In this positive context, it signifies discernment and foresight. A prudent person is not merely intelligent but possesses the practical wisdom to act with discretion, understanding the implications of their words and actions. They are astute enough to know when to speak and, more importantly, when to remain silent.
* **Concealeth (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** From H3680, meaning to cover, hide, or overwhelm. In this verse, it does not imply malicious hiding or deception, but rather a deliberate and wise restraint. The prudent person "covers" or "conceals" knowledge in the sense of not indiscriminately broadcasting it. This act of concealment is an exercise of wisdom, protecting the knowledge itself from being misused or misunderstood, and preserving the speaker's credibility.
* **Foolishness (Hebrew, _ʼivveleth'_):** From H200, this word denotes silliness, folly, or stupidity. It's not merely a lack of knowledge but an active, often self-destructive, manifestation of poor judgment and lack of discernment. When the heart of fools "proclaims foolishness," it means they openly and often loudly declare their own lack of wisdom, revealing their inherent silliness and poor judgment to all.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A prudent man concealeth knowledge:"** This clause describes the wise individual. The "prudent man" (`ʻârûwm`) is characterized by discernment and foresight. He possesses "knowledge" (`daʻath`), which refers to understanding, insight, and practical wisdom. The action of "concealing" (`kâçâh`) this knowledge is not about hoarding information selfishly or deceptively, but about exercising discretion. It implies a thoughtful assessment of the situation, the audience, and the timing, choosing to hold back information or insights until they can be appropriately shared or applied. This restraint demonstrates humility, self-control, and a deep understanding of the value and potential impact of knowledge.
* **"but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness."** This contrasting clause reveals the nature of the foolish. The "heart" (`lêb`) is the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, indicating that the fool's outward expression of "foolishness" (`ʼivveleth`) stems from their inner disposition. "Fools" (`kᵉçîyl`) are characterized by their stupidity and lack of discernment. To "proclaim" (`qârâʼ`) means to call out, announce, or publish. Unlike the prudent man's measured restraint, the fool's heart compels them to openly and often loudly declare their lack of wisdom, revealing their poor judgment and silliness without reservation or awareness of the negative consequences. This public display of folly often leads to embarrassment, misunderstanding, or harm.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 12:23 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. This structure presents two contrasting lines that highlight opposing ideas, in this case, the behavior of the prudent versus the behavior of the fool. The first clause describes the wise act of discretion ("A prudent man concealeth knowledge"), while the second clause presents the foolish act of unrestrained speech ("but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness"). This direct contrast serves to emphasize the virtue of the former and the vice of the latter. Additionally, the phrase "heart of fools" employs **Metonymy**, where "heart" represents the inner character, disposition, and intellect of the foolish person, indicating that their outward foolish speech originates from their internal nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with the biblical emphasis on the sanctity and power of speech, reflecting a divine call to wisdom in communication. God, as the ultimate source of wisdom, exemplifies perfect discretion and truth in His revelation, speaking through His Word with precision and purpose. The contrast between the prudent and the fool underscores the theological truth that true wisdom is not merely intellectual accumulation but a moral and spiritual disposition that governs one's words and actions. It highlights the fallen human tendency towards self-exaltation and impulsivity, which often manifests as foolish speech, versus the Spirit-led discipline of humility and self-control. The prudent person's ability to "conceal knowledge" aligns with a character that seeks to honor God through thoughtful stewardship of information, while the fool's "proclaiming foolishness" reveals a heart unguided by divine wisdom, often leading to spiritual and social detriment.

* [James 1:19](/james/1-19 "James 1:19 - Be Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger")
* [James 3:2](/james/3-2 "James 3:2 - The Tongue is a Small Member, Yet It Boasts of Great Things")
* [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - In the Multitude of Words There Is Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 12:23 offers a timeless and profoundly practical challenge for contemporary life, especially in an age saturated with instant communication and the constant pressure to share. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of discernment and restraint, recognizing that not every thought needs to be voiced, nor every piece of information immediately shared. True wisdom often manifests in strategic silence, thoughtful deliberation, and knowing when our words will genuinely edify or when they might cause harm or reveal immaturity. We are encouraged to reflect on the source of our speech: does it flow from a heart cultivated by God's wisdom, marked by prudence and humility, or from an impulsive, self-centered disposition that inadvertently exposes our folly? Embracing the counsel of this proverb means actively practicing self-control, listening more than speaking, and ensuring that our communication is always purposeful, gracious, and reflective of a discerning mind.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I prone to "proclaim foolishness" rather than "conceal knowledge"?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discretion and thoughtfulness in my daily conversations and digital communications?**
* **What does my speech reveal about the true condition of my heart and my pursuit of wisdom?**
* **When might silence be a more powerful and wise response than speaking?**

### FAQ
**Does "concealeth knowledge" imply dishonesty or withholding truth?**

Answer: No, in the context of Proverbs 12:23, "concealeth knowledge" (Hebrew: `kâçâh daʻath`) does not imply dishonesty or a malicious withholding of truth. Instead, it signifies discretion, prudence, and wise restraint. A prudent person understands that not all knowledge needs to be broadcast indiscriminately. They exercise discernment regarding the timing, audience, and manner of sharing information. This is about protecting the value of knowledge, preventing its misuse, or avoiding casting pearls before swine (as in [Matthew 7:6](/matthew/7-6 "Matthew 7:6 - Do Not Give Dogs What Is Holy")). It's a virtue that prevents foolish or harmful outcomes that might arise from thoughtless or premature disclosure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 12:23 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied prudence and never proclaimed foolishness. As the very [Wisdom of God incarnate](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God"), Jesus always spoke with divine authority and perfect timing, revealing truth precisely when and how it was needed, and often choosing profound silence when words would have been futile or misunderstood. His responses to His accusers, particularly before Pilate, demonstrate a masterful "concealing of knowledge" (as seen in [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate")), where His silence was more eloquent and powerful than any defense. Conversely, His teachings were never "foolishness" but were always life-giving truth, often delivered through parables that revealed wisdom to those with [ears to hear](/mark/4-9 "Mark 4:9 - He who has ears to hear, let him hear!") and concealed it from those who were spiritually blind. Jesus perfectly exemplified the prudent man, whose every word and silence was governed by divine wisdom, contrasting sharply with the foolishness of those who rejected Him, whose hearts proclaimed their spiritual blindness and rebellion (as seen in [John 12:37-40](/john/12-37-40 "John 12:37-40 - Despite all the signs Jesus had performed, they still did not believe in him")).

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 13:16

¶ Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.

Proverbs 11:13

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 10:14

¶ Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.

Proverbs 10:19

¶ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.

Proverbs 15:2

¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

¶ The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?