Proverbs 14:13

KJV

¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even in laughter {H7814} the heart {H3820} is sorrowful {H3510}; and the end {H319} of that mirth {H8057} is heaviness {H8424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even in laughter the heart can be sad, and joy may end in sorrow.

Berean Standard Bible

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

American Standard Version

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of mirth is heaviness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 14:13 presents a profound paradox, revealing that outward expressions of joy can conceal deep inner sorrow, and that the ultimate outcome of merely superficial merriment is often profound grief. This verse serves as a sober reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that true contentment and lasting joy are not found in fleeting pleasures or external displays, but stem from a deeper, internal reality that transcends temporary circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 14:13 is situated within a larger collection of wisdom sayings in the book of Proverbs, specifically within chapters 10-29, which primarily consist of antithetical proverbs contrasting the path of the wise with that of the foolish. This particular verse utilizes a form of antithetical parallelism, juxtaposing "laughter" and "mirth" with "sorrowful" and "heaviness," to highlight the deceptive nature of outward appearances and the ultimate emptiness of superficial pursuits. It functions as a warning against mistaking external prosperity or cheer for genuine well-being, aligning with the broader Proverbial emphasis on discerning true wisdom from folly and understanding the lasting consequences of one's choices and the state of one's heart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient cultures, public displays of emotion and social standing were significant. However, Proverbs consistently delves beneath the surface of societal norms to examine the internal state of the individual. The "heart" (`lêb`) in Hebrew thought was considered the very core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. This verse speaks to a universal human experience, acknowledging that individuals might present a cheerful facade for various reasons (social expectation, pride, denial) while harboring profound internal pain. It challenges the cultural tendency to judge by outward appearance, directing attention to the deeper, often hidden, realities of the human condition.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes to several overarching themes within the wisdom literature. It underscores the **deceptive nature of outward appearances**, suggesting that what is seen on the surface (laughter, mirth) does not always reflect the true internal state (sorrow, heaviness). It also speaks to the **superficiality of worldly pleasure**, implying that joy derived solely from external circumstances or fleeting amusements is ultimately unsustainable and leads to disappointment, a theme profoundly explored in [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Vanity of Life"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the **importance of the heart's true condition**, emphasizing that genuine well-being is an internal matter, not merely an external display, echoing the call to guard one's heart found in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **laughter (Hebrew, _sᵉchôwq'_):** From the root `śâchaq`, this word refers to outward merriment, amusement, or even derision. In this context, it describes a public or superficial display of joy that may not correspond to the inner state. It can be genuine, but the proverb suggests it can also be a mask or a fleeting emotion.
* **sorrowful (Hebrew, _kâʼab'_):** A primitive root meaning "to feel pain" or "to grieve." This word denotes a deep, internal pain or suffering. Its use here directly contrasts with "laughter," highlighting the profound disconnect between the external expression and the hidden, inner reality of distress or anguish in the heart.
* **heaviness (Hebrew, _tûgâh'_):** Derived from `yâgâh`, meaning "to grieve" or "to cause grief." This term signifies depression of spirits, concrete grief, or deep sorrow. It represents the ultimate, inevitable outcome or "end" of mirth that lacks a substantial foundation, emphasizing a profound and lasting sadness that replaces temporary joy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful":** This clause presents a stark paradox. It asserts that despite outward expressions of joy or amusement ("laughter"), the innermost being—the "heart"—can simultaneously be experiencing deep pain or grief ("sorrowful"). This highlights the human capacity for emotional complexity and the often-hidden nature of suffering, challenging the assumption that external cheer equates to internal peace.
* **"and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness":** This clause serves as a warning about the ultimate outcome of superficial or worldly joy ("mirth"). It suggests that such joy, lacking true depth or spiritual foundation, is temporary and inevitably leads to a state of profound sadness, grief, or depression ("heaviness"). It implies that pleasure pursued for its own sake, apart from wisdom or divine truth, culminates in emptiness and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 14:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound truth. The most prominent is **Paradox**, where "laughter" and "sorrowful" are juxtaposed in the same heart, creating an apparent contradiction that reveals a deeper truth about the human condition—that outward appearances can conceal inner turmoil. This is further reinforced by **Antithesis**, as the verse contrasts "laughter" and "mirth" with "sorrowful" and "heaviness," presenting opposing concepts to highlight the futility of superficial joy. The structure also exhibits a subtle **Chiasm** (A-B-B'-A' pattern of ideas), where "laughter" (A) leads to "sorrowful" (B), and then "mirth" (B') leads to "heaviness" (A'), emphasizing the cyclical nature of ungrounded joy leading back to despair. This intricate use of language amplifies the proverb's warning about the deceptive nature of external happiness and the inevitable consequences of pursuing fleeting pleasures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb speaks powerfully to the human condition, particularly the impact of the Fall, which introduced a fundamental brokenness into human experience, making it possible for the heart to be deeply conflicted and for external appearances to belie internal realities. It underscores the vanity of pursuing happiness solely through worldly means, echoing the wisdom of [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Vanity of Life") that all is "vanity of vanities" apart from God. The verse implicitly points to the need for a joy that is rooted in something more substantial than fleeting circumstances—a joy that can endure even in sorrow, because its source is divine and eternal. It challenges us to look beyond the superficial and seek a deeper, more authentic well-being that aligns with God's design for humanity.

* [Ecclesiastes 2:1-2](/ecclesiastes/2-1 "Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 - The Vanity of Pleasure")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalm/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Endure for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 14:13 serves as a poignant mirror for self-examination and a lens for compassionate understanding of others. For personal reflection, it prompts us to honestly assess the true state of our own hearts. Is our joy genuine, rooted in an abiding relationship with God and His truth, or is it merely a temporary distraction, a superficial veneer over deeper anxieties or unaddressed pain? This verse calls us to cultivate an inner life that is integrated and authentic, where our external expressions align with our internal peace. It reminds us that true happiness is not the absence of all sorrow, but a spiritual contentment that can sustain us through life's inevitable challenges. Furthermore, it fosters empathy, urging us to look beyond the cheerful facades that people often present. Someone who appears outwardly happy might be carrying a profound burden, reinforcing the biblical call to [bear one another's burdens](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing One Another's Burdens") and to engage in relationships marked by genuine concern and compassionate discernment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the true source of your joy? Is it fleeting and circumstantial, or is it rooted in something deeper and more enduring?**
* **In what ways might you, or others you know, be masking inner sorrow with outward laughter or mirth?**
* **How does this proverb encourage you to cultivate a more authentic inner life, rather than focusing solely on external appearances?**

### FAQ
**Does Proverbs 14:13 mean that all laughter and joy are bad or lead to sorrow?**

Answer: No, the proverb does not condemn all laughter or joy. Instead, it offers a discerning observation about the *nature* of certain kinds of laughter and mirth. It specifically speaks of a joy that is superficial, lacking depth, or perhaps used as a facade to cover inner pain. The "end" of *that* kind of mirth is heaviness, implying that joy disconnected from truth, purpose, or a genuine internal state is ultimately unsustainable and leads to emptiness. The Bible celebrates true joy and gladness, especially that which comes from the Lord, as seen in passages like [Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence") or [Nehemiah 8:10](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength"). The proverb is a warning against deceptive appearances and the futility of seeking lasting happiness in temporary, worldly pleasures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 14:13 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast between the world's fleeting joys and the enduring, supernatural joy found in Jesus Christ. The "laughter" and "mirth" that end in "heaviness" perfectly describe the human pursuit of happiness apart from God, a pursuit that inevitably leads to the despair and emptiness of a life lived outside of His divine purpose. Jesus, however, offers a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances or superficial displays. He is the [Man of Sorrows](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus, the Man of Sorrows"), who perfectly embodied the paradox of carrying immense sorrow for humanity's sin while simultaneously possessing an unshakeable, divine peace and joy rooted in His communion with the Father. His suffering on the cross, though the epitome of "heaviness," was the very means by which true, lasting joy became accessible to humanity, as He bore our sorrows that we might receive His comfort and peace ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ Bore Our Griefs")). Through His resurrection, He conquered the ultimate "heaviness" of death, offering believers a hope that transcends all earthly sorrow ([1 Peter 1:3-9](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-9 - A Living Hope")). The joy that Christ gives is a fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), an internal reality that remains even amidst trials, because its source is the indwelling presence of God Himself, a joy the world cannot give or take away ([John 16:22](/john/16-22 "John 16:22 - Lasting Joy in Christ")).

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

Ecclesiastes 2:2

I said of laughter, [It is] mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.

Ecclesiastes 2:10

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.

Proverbs 5:4

But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

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.

Luke 16:25

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.