14:15

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

15a
The simple man believes every word,

15b but the prudent man watches his steps.

14:15a

The simple man believes every word: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as simple refers to someone who is inexperienced, naïve, or easily deceived. Such a person is immature and tends to believe anything that he hears. Some other ways to translate this word are:

naive/gullible person
-or-
someone with little experience
-or-
a person who is easily deceived
-or-
people who don’t know anything

14:15b

but the prudent man watches his steps: For the words translated here as prudent and watches, see the notes on 14:8a, where the Berean Standard Bible uses the terms “prudent” and “discern.” The phrase his steps is a figure of speech with the same meaning as “his way/path.” It refers to a person’s conduct or way of life.

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