For a verse identical to this, see 16.25. This saying expresses the self-deception that people often live by.

“There is a way which seems right to a man”: “Way” or road refers to “conduct,” “behavior,” or “manner of life.” “Seems right” suggests a moral manner of conduct. The picture may be that of a journey in which the traveler believes he is headed on a straight road or path toward his destination, but discovers only too late that his path leads to death. “Man” represents the Hebrew but is modified by many modern translations to be inclusive; for example, New Revised Standard Version says “a person.” We may translate this line, for example, “You may believe you are on the good road” or “You may think that your way of life is good.”

“But its end is the way to death”: “its end”, that is, “at the end of the road,” “the final stage,” or “finally.” “Way” in “the way to death” is plural and the same word as used in line 1 (literally “ways of death”). “The way to death” means the path or road that leads to death. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “There are paths that seem straight, but at the end of them is death.” Contemporary English Version has “You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead.”

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 .