Translation commentary on Proverbs 21:11

The contrast in this saying is between a wise or sensible person and someone who is simple or ignorant: the wise person learns from instruction, but the ignorant person learns (only) by seeing other people punished.

“When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise”: This line expresses the same thought as the first line of 19.25. “A scoffer” is someone who scorns or mocks others, who has a scornful or conceited attitude. “The simple” is someone whose mind is empty, who lacks wisdom. For comments on both these terms see 1.22. Since “the simple” is a person who needs wisdom, “becomes wise” is a good rendering of the Hebrew verb here; some other ways of expressing the sense are “grow wiser” (New Jerusalem Bible), “gain wisdom” (New International Version), and “learns a lesson” (Scott, Good News Translation). The meaning of the whole line is that when a person who scorns or despises others is punished, this is a warning or a lesson to people who do not have much sense. What is not stated directly, but is probably also intended here, is that these people cannot or will not learn from instruction, unlike the wise people who are referred to in the next line. This meaning is brought out by a rendering like “The simple learns a lesson only when. . .” (Scott), and also by the use of a word like “but” in the next line (as in New Jerusalem Bible) to express the sense of contrast with the way that a wise or experienced person learns.

“When a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge”: This line is parallel with the previous line. “A wise man” matches and contrasts with “the simple” there; and “gains knowledge” has the same sense as “becomes wise” there. In the case of the wise person, getting knowledge or wisdom comes through being “instructed”, that is, from being taught.

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 21:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 21:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “A wise person understands/realizes when (he) is given advice,
    but a foolish understands/realizes when (he) is punished.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When proud people are punished,
    those who lack wisdom will gain insight.
    When the wise are instructed,
    they will gain insight.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If a mockers is-punished, the ones-who-are-like them who have- no -knowledge can-learn to be-wise. A wise man become- more -wiser if he is-intructed.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Someone who knows nothing can become-reflective/thinking if he sees a mocker be-punished, but the wise-person can be taught by-means-of advice.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “When those who ridicule others are punished, even those who do not have good sense see that, and they become wise,
    and when those who are wise are taught, they become wiser.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 21:11

21:11

This proverb is similar to 19:25. See the notes on that verse. It contrasts the results of disciplining or educating different kinds of people. It also contrasts the ways that different kinds of people gain wisdom or knowledge.

The parallel structure pairs “a mocker” with “a wise man.” But the main contrast is between the learning ability of a person who is simple and a person who is wise. No contrast is intended between the parallel phrases “gain wisdom” and “gets knowledge.”

11a
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom ;

11b
when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

As in 19:25, the parallelism is not exact. The parallel lines function together to imply several things:

(a) A “mocker” learns nothing when he is punished.

(b) A “simple” person does not learn from simply listening to instruction, but he does learn from observing the punishment of the mocker.

(c) A “wise man” learns far more easily than a simple person. He is able to learn from verbal instruction. He does not need to see someone else being punished.

21:11a

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom: For the words mocker and simple, see the notes on 19:25a. Also see mocker and simple in the Glossary.

is punished: In 19:25a, it specifies that a mocker is beaten or flogged. Here the punishment is not specified. But it is probably a harsh physical punishment that will make an impression on the inexperienced or naïve person.

Some other ways to translate 21:11a are:

When the scoffer is punished, the naïve becomes wise (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
If you punish a scornful person, someone with little experience may learn a lesson from it.

If it is difficult to understand the contrast between the two ways of learning, consider changing the order of the two clauses. For example:

A naive person becomes wiser ⌊only⌋ if ⌊he sees⌋ a scornful person being punished.

Also see the last meaning line in the Display for 21:11a.

21:11b

and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge: This line refers to giving additional insight to a person who is already wise. When such a person is instructed (literally “caused to have insight”), he gains even more knowledge about how to deal with the situations he faces in life.

he acquires knowledge:

Some other ways to translate this line are:

if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
One who is wise will learn from what he is taught (Good News Translation)

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