Proverbs 15:21 (GNV)

Passage

Foolishnes is ioy to him that is destitute of vnderstanding: but a man of vnderstanding walketh vprightly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:19 The way of a slouthfull man is as an hedge of thornes: but the way of the righteous is plaine.

Proverbs 15:20 A wise sonne reioyceth the father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 15:21 Foolishnes is ioy to him that is destitute of vnderstanding: but a man of vnderstanding walketh vprightly.

Proverbs 15:22 Without cousel thoughts come to nought: but in the multitude of counsellers there is stedfastnesse.

Proverbs 15:23 A ioy commeth to a man by the answere of his mouth: and how good is a word in due season?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "foolishnes", "destitute", "vnderstanding", "walketh", and "vprightly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "foolishnes" and "destitute", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "A wise sonne reioyceth the father but..." into verse 22's "Without cousel thoughts come to nought but...", so "foolishnes" and "destitute" 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 "foolishnes" and "destitute" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.