Passage
Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Proverbs 15:11 (ASV)
Nearby Context
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Proverbs 15:10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; [And] he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.
Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
Study Lenses
The verse centers on "sheol", "abaddon", "before", "jehovah", "much", "hearts", and "children". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "sheol" and "abaddon", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The nearby context moves from verse 10's "There is grievous correction for him that..." into verse 12's "A scoffer loveth not to be reproved...", so "sheol" and "abaddon" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "sheol" and "abaddon" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.