14:8

This proverb describes the contrasting results of “wisdom” and “folly.” Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

8a
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,

8b but the folly of fools deceives them.

The underlined parallel parts in each line contrast exactly. The parallel parts in bold print do not contrast exactly.

14:8a

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way: This line means that people who are prudent use their wisdom to consider their conduct carefully. They are able to distinguish between right and wrong ways of life.

the prudent: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as prudent refers here to people who are shrewd and clever. They are able to make good plans to achieve their goals. for more information.

his way: This phrase is a metaphor. It is similar to the walk/path/ways metaphors that occur elsewhere in Proverbs. See the General Comment on 14:2a–b. See also 10:9b.

There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) The phrase his way refers to one’s future conduct. It means that one thinks carefully about what one will do. For example:

It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some versions do not specify whether the phrase his way refers to past or future conduct. For example:

The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way (NET Bible)

The meaning lines in the Display will follow interpretation (1). No versions specify past conduct. However, if you can translate in a way that allows either past or future conduct, you may do so.

Some other ways to translate interpretation (1) are:

The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life (God’s Word)
-or-
A wise person will understand what to do (New Century Version)

Some other ways to translate interpretation (2) are:

The shrewd man’s wisdom gives him knowledge of his way (New American Bible)
-or-
A sensible/clever person is wise, so he carefully evaluates ⌊the consequences of⌋ his conduct.

14:8b

but the folly of fools deceives them: This line means that the foolishness of a fool results in deception.

the folly of fools: The word folly refers to moral foolishness. For more information on the word folly, see folly (Hebrew: ʾiwwelet) in the Glossary. The word for fools refers to a person who does what is stupid and wrong because he is mentally lazy and is satisfied with himself. For the word fools (Hebrew: kǝsilim), see fool 2 in the Glossary.

deceives them: There are two main ways to interpret the words deceives them :

(1) The words refer to self-deception. It means that fools deceive themselves because of their own foolishness. For example:

but the stupidity of fools misleads them (God’s Word)

(2) Some versions do not specify whether the word refers to self-deception or deception of others. For example:

but the folly of fools misleads (New Revised Standard Version)

The meaning lines in the Display will follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. Although the words deceives them usually refers to deceiving others, the parallel with 14:8a suggests that the word should refer here to deceiving oneself. However, if you can translate in a way that allows either or both interpretations, you may do so.

Some other ways to translate interpretation (1) are:

but the folly of fools leads them astray (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows. (Good News Translation)

Some other ways to translate interpretation (2) are:

but a foolish person is dishonest (New Century Version)
-or-
but fools refuse to do what is right, so they deceive ⌊both themselves and others⌋

General Comment on 14:8a–b

In some languages, it may be awkward or redundant to speak of the “wisdom of the prudent” or the “folly of fools.” If that is true in your language, it may be better to simplify these phrases, as some English versions have done. For example:

The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. (New Living Translation (2004))

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