Proverbs 15:24 (ASV)

Passage

To the wise the way of life [goeth] upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 15:24 To the wise the way of life [goeth] upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 15:25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

Proverbs 15:26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words [are] pure.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wise", "life", "goeth", "upward", "depart", "sheol", and "beneath". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wise" and "life", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 23's "A man hath joy in the answer..." into verse 25's "Jehovah will root up the house of...", so "wise" and "life" 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 "wise" and "life" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.