Proverbs 14

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.

He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.

Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.

In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter contrasts the ways of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, throughout personal conduct, speech, relationships, and societal influence. It expands on the practical outworking of fearing the Lord, showing how this fear shapes everything from household order to national destiny. As part of the broader didactic structure of Proverbs, it moves from individual moral choices to their broader social and eternal consequences.

Flow.

Begins with the moral responsibility of individuals: the wise build up, the foolish destroy, and integrity is rooted in the fear of the Lord.
Explores speech and knowledge: truth, discernment, and thoughtful silence contrast with lying, scoffing, and hasty words.
Expands to social ethics: treatment of the poor, justice in witness, and the fruit of diligence versus idleness.
Culminates in the fear of the Lord as the source of life, safety, and national well-being, setting the foundation for divine reward and eternal security.

Connections.
Following chapter 13, which also juxtaposes the righteous and the wicked in matters of speech, discipline, and integrity, chapter 14 deepens the contrast by emphasizing the internal disposition—particularly the fear of the Lord—as the root of outward behavior. It prepares the way for chapter 15, which further explores the power of the tongue and the heart’s condition, by establishing that true wisdom is not merely behavioral but rooted in reverence for God and understanding of His moral order.

What it teaches.
The fear of the Lord is the essential disposition of wisdom, leading to life, protection, and upright conduct (WCF 7.3). Righteousness begins in the heart and expresses itself in truthful speech (HC LD 82), just treatment of the poor (WCF 19.2), and diligent labor (CD IV.51). The chapter affirms that human judgment often misleads (), but God’s moral order ensures that the righteous are ultimately upheld (WCF 3.7; HC LD 19), while the wicked face destruction. Wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical, shaping homes, communities, and nations (BC Article 24). The inward life—grief, joy, motive—is known only fully to God (WCF 5.1), but outward actions reveal the heart’s allegiance.

Apply.
A heart grounded in the fear of the Lord produces words of truth, deeds of justice, and a life that builds rather than destroys.

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