What to know about fools. Wisdom from the Holy Bible on how to deal with fools. How to not be a fool. What to do if you already are a fool.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7
"The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol." Proverbs 9:13-18
"The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother." Proverbs 10:1
"A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin." Proverbs 10:8
"He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin." Proverbs 10:10
"Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment." Proverbs 10:13
"The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction." Proverbs 10:14
"The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Proverbs 10:18
"When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment." Proverbs 10:21
"The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom." Proverbs 10:23
"Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." Proverbs 11:22
"He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart." Proverbs 11:29
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." Proverbs 12:15
"A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Proverbs 12:16
"A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly." Proverbs 12:23
"Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly." Proverbs 13:16
"Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools." Proverbs 13:19
"He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
"Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1
"The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them." Proverbs 14:3
"A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning." Proverbs 14:6
"Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech." Proverbs 14:7
"The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them." Proverbs 14:8
"Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright." Proverbs 14:9
"A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." Proverbs 14:16
"A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated." Proverbs 14:17
"The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. " Proverbs 14:18
"The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly." Proverbs 14:24
"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly." Proverbs 14:29
"Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known." Proverbs 14:33
"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly." Proverbs 15:2
"A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent." Proverbs 15:5
"The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools." Proverbs 15:7
"A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise." Proverbs 15:12
"A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly." Proverbs 15:14
"A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother." Proverbs 15:20
"Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path." Proverbs 15:21
"Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!" Proverbs 17:7
"A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool." Proverbs 17:10
"It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly." Proverbs 17:12
"Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?" Proverbs 17:16
"A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy." Proverbs 17:21
"Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth." Proverbs 17:24
"A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." Proverbs 17:25
"Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:28
"A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions." Proverbs 18:2
"A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating." Proverbs 18:6
"A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul." Proverbs 18:7
"He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him." Proverbs 18:13
"Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse." Proverbs 19:1
"A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD." Proverbs 19:3
"Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!" Proverbs 19:10
"A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping." Proverbs 19:13
"Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools." Proverbs 19:29
"It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel." Proverbs 20:3
"Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them." Proverbs 21:20
"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him." Proverbs 22:15
"Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words." Proverbs 23:9
"Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place." Proverbs 24:7
"He who plots evil will be called a schemer. A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men." Proverbs 24:8, 9
"Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool." Proverbs 26:1
"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!" Proverbs 26:3
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him." Proverbs 26:4
"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes." Proverbs 26:5
"Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool." Proverbs 26:6
"Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." Proverbs 26:7
"Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool." Proverbs 26:8
"Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." Proverbs 26:9
"Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby." Proverbs 26:10
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." Proverbs 26:11
"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 26:12
"A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both." Proverbs 27:3
"Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him." Proverbs 27:22
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe." Proverbs 28:26
"If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution." Proverbs 29:9
"A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." Proverbs 29:11
"Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 29:20
"If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife." Proverbs 30:32, 33
"Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:20-33
"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. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew." Proverbs 3:13-20
"Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. 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.” Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." Proverbs 4:1-27
"Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men. O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge. 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. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence. I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:1-36
"Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences." Proverbs 9:1-12
"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out." Proverbs 10:31
"When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:3
"He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart." Proverbs 11:29
"A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised." Proverbs 12:8
"Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
"A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly." Proverbs 12:23
"A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke." Proverbs 13:1
"Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised." Proverbs 13:10
"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.'" Proverbs 13:14
"Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly." Proverbs 13:16
"He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
"Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known." Proverbs 13:33
"Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1
A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." Proverbs 14:16
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated." Proverbs 14:17
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Proverbs 14:18
"The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly." Proverbs 14:24
"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly." Proverbs 15:2
"A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent." Proverbs 15:5
"The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools." Proverbs 15:7
"A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly." Proverbs 15:14
"A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother." Proverbs 15:20
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path." Proverbs 15:21
"The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol." Proverbs 15:24
"He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise." Proverbs 15:31
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding." Proverbs 15:32
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor." Proverbs 15:33
"The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it." Proverbs 16:14
"How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver." Proverbs 16:16
"The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction." Proverbs 16:21
"Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly." Proverbs 16:22
"The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips." Proverbs 16:23
"A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers." Proverbs 17:2
"A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool." Proverbs 17:10
"Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth." Proverbs 17:24
"A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit." Proverbs 17:27
"Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:28