Translation commentary on Proverbs 15:32

This verse says in two contrasting lines what verse 31 says in a single sentence.

“He who ignores instruction despises himself”: New Revised Standard Version revises “He who” to “Those who.” “Ignores” means “pays no attention,” “refuses,” or “rejects.” For “instruction” see 1.2. “Despises himself” is literally “despises his own soul.” “Despise” means “look down upon with contempt,” “disdain,” or “treat as worthless or of small value.” Bible en français courant says “Whoever refuses to be educated neglects his own life.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “Whoever rejects correction throws his life away.”

“But he who heeds admonition gains understanding”: For “he who heeds admonition” see verse 31. “Gains understanding” is literally “gains heart.” In Hebrew the heart is the figurative center of thought and so stands here for “instruction,” “good sense,” or “wisdom.” Contemporary English Version renders this line “but it makes good sense to accept it.” See Good News Translation.

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 15:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 15:32:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person who does not want to be corrected, does not want life for himself,
    and the one who loves/accepts to be advised, gets understanding/wisdom.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those who have no concern for discipline
    destroy themselves.
    A person who corrects his mistake is wise.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A man despises himself if he does- not -pay-attention to the rebuking of him to straighten his behavior, but if he listens, he can-possess/gain/obtain understanding.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The one who cannot-be-taught, he hardships himself, but one who listens to advice, he becomes-wise/intelligent.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “If people refuse to listen when others try to correct them, they are despising/hurting themselves;
    those who pay attention/heed when others warn them become wiser/acquire good sense.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 15:32

15:32

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

32a
He who ignores discipline despises himself,

32b but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

15:32a–b

He who ignores discipline…whoever heeds correction: For the meaning of these contrasting parallel phrases, see the notes on the identical phrases in 13:18a–b. As in that verse, no contrast is intended between the words discipline and correction.

15:32a

despises himself: These words indicate that a person who ignores discipline rejects himself and considers himself to be useless or of no value. Some ways to express the meaning of this line are:

Whoever rejects correction lacks self-respect (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Those who refuse correction hate themselves (New Century Version)

15:32b

gains understanding: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “acquires/gains heart.” A phrase with the opposite meaning “lacks heart” occurs in 10:13b and 15:21a. (See the notes there.) In all these expressions, “heart” refers to good sense or good judgment.

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