Proverbs 18:15 (KJV)

Passage

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "heart", "prudent", "getteth", "knowledge", "wise", and "seeketh". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "heart" and "prudent", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 14's "The spirit of a man will sustain..." into verse 16's "A man s gift maketh room for...", so "heart" and "prudent" 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 "heart" and "prudent" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.