Proverbs 15:11 (DRB)

Passage

Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

Proverbs 15:10 Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

Proverbs 15:12 A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "hell", "destruction", "before", "lord", "much", "hearts", and "children". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "hell" and "destruction", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh..." into verse 12's "A corrupt man loveth not one that...", so "hell" and "destruction" 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 "hell" and "destruction" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.