Translation commentary on Proverbs 12:15

Verses 15-16 contrast a foolish person with a wise person.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes”: “Way” refers here to the attitude or conduct of the fool. The “fool”, expressed by several different words, is the theme of many sayings in Proverbs. The word used here was first used in 1.7. See there for comments. “Right in his own eyes” means the fool thinks his opinions and ways of acting are not in need of correction or improvement. Scott says “A fool is cocksure about what he is doing.” Contemporary English Version says “Fools think they know what is best,” and Bible en français courant “The fool always thinks that he acts correctly.” See Good News Translation. We may also say, for example, “Foolish people do not think they make mistakes” or “Whatever a fool thinks, he believes it is correct.”

“But a wise man listens to advice”: This line is literally “but one listening to counsel [is] wise.” Revised Standard Version makes “a wise man” the subject of the clause to parallel “the way of the fool” in line 1, as do many other English versions. “Listens” means “pays attention” or “takes advice” (see “hear” in 1.8). “Advice” refers to the opinions of others about what can or should be done (see “counsel” in 1.25). “Listens to advice” is sometimes rendered, for example, “accepts the words,” “allows others to tell him what they think,” “puts his ear on what they say,” or “listens to the whispered words.”

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 12:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 12:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “A foolish person thinks that what (he) is doing is right/good,
    but a wise person loves to be advised/corrected.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The fool thinks his own ideas are right,
    but one who has wisdom
    will listen to the advice of others.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A fool man thinks that he is always right, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The foolish, they say/think that entirely right/correct is what they are-doing, but the wise, they listen to advice.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Foolish people always think that what they are doing is right;
    wise people heed other people when they give them good advice.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 12:15

12:15

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

15a The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

15b but a wise man listens to counsel.

The parts in bold print do not contrast directly. The implied contrast is that a fool will not listen to advice, and a wise person does not base his decisions on his own opinion.

12:15a

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: This clause means that a fool considers his own behavior or actions to be correct.

fool: In Hebrew, this word for fool refers to someone who does stupid and wrong things because of his evil character. It is also implied that he is arrogant and stubborn. For example:

A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one (God’s Word)

is right in his own eyes: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “is right in his eyes.” The expression “his eyes” refers figuratively to his own opinion, viewpoint or thinking. Another way to translate this phrase is:

always think they are right (Good News Translation)

right: In Hebrew, this word literally means “straight” (for example, a straight line). Here it refers figuratively to conduct that is in line with God’s moral standard. In other words, it is morally “right/correct.”

12:15b

but a wise man listens to counsel: The phrase listens to counsel also implies that a wise person accepts the advice he receives.

counsel: This word refers here to someone’s recommendation or plan about what a wise man should do or how he should act. Another way to translate it is:

advice (New International Version)

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