Proverbs 18:14

"He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him."

Key Reflection

Proverbs 18:14 teaches a lesson about the importance of listening before speaking. This wisdom reflects the broader cultural value in ancient Israel where thoughtful speech was highly esteemed, as it avoided rash comments that could lead to folly and shame. By urging caution in responding quickly without hearing all the facts, this verse underscores the virtue of careful consideration and the potential pitfalls of hasty judgment.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Infirmity -Bodily pain or trouble. “Spirit” in the Hebrew text is masculine in the first clause, feminine in the second, as though used in the latter as having lost its strength.

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