This saying contrasts the function of “wisdom” and “folly” in serving as a guide to practical living.

“The wisdom of a prudent man is to discern his way”: “The wisdom of a prudent man” means the wisdom the wise person has obtained. For “prudent man” see 12.23. “Discern” means to understand, perceive, or recognize the difference between things, that is, to distinguish between them. “His way” is commonly used in chapters 1–9 to refer to a person’s conduct or way of life; for example, see 4.11. The thought expressed in this line is that the wise person’s wisdom enables him to choose between the right and wrong ways of life. Revised English Bible has “Someone who is clever will have the wit to find the right way.”

“But the folly of fools is deceiving”: “The folly of fools” contrasts with “The wisdom of a prudent man”. For the terms “folly” and “fools” in a single verse see 12.23. “Deceiving” translates a word used in 11.1 to describe false or dishonest scales. “Deceiving” in this context refers to the way foolishness causes the fool to choose the wrong way of life; it is, therefore, self-deceit. The fool thinks he knows the right way but he does not.

Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates this saying “Whoever is wise has experience and knows what he is doing. Whoever is stupid has only stupidity; therefore he deceives himself and others.” Bible en français courant translates “The wise man [person] watches over his conduct because he is wise. Fools go astray because of their foolishness.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .