Proverbs 16:22 (KJV)

Passage

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "understanding", "wellspring", "life", "hath", "instruction", "fools", and "folly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "understanding" and "wellspring", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 21's "The wise in heart shall be called..." into verse 23's "The heart of the wise teacheth his...", so "understanding" and "wellspring" 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 "understanding" and "wellspring" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.