Proverbs 15:14 (YLT)

Passage

The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

Proverbs 15:14 The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted <FI>are<Fi> evil, And gladness of heart <FI>is<Fi> a perpetual banquet.

Proverbs 15:16 Better <FI>is<Fi> a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "heart", "intelligent", "seeketh", "knowledge", "mouth", "fools", "enjoyeth", and "folly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "heart" and "intelligent", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "A joyful heart maketh glad the face..." into verse 15's "All the days of the afflicted FI...", so "heart" and "intelligent" 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 "intelligent" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.