“An intelligent mind acquires knowledge” is literally “the heart of him who has understanding gets knowledge.” Here, as in many of these sayings, “heart” represents the mind. This line is identical to 15.14a except that “seeks” is here replaced by “acquires”.

“And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge”: This line is essentially the same as the first. “Ear”, which replaces “heart,” is the organ by which instruction and knowledge are received in such verses as 2.2; 4.20; 5.1, 13. “Seeks knowledge” is the same as in 15.14a. Note how Good News Translation has reduced these similar lines to one short sentence.

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 .