Proverbs 17:16 (DBY)

Passage

To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

Nearby Context

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

Proverbs 17:16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

Proverbs 17:17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "price", "hand", "fool", "wisdom", "seeing", "hath", and "sense". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "price", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "He that justifieth the wicked and he..." into verse 17's "The friend loveth at all times and...", so "purpose" and "price" 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 "purpose" and "price" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.