Translation commentary on Proverbs 14:12

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 14:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 14:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person may think that what he/she is doing is good,
    but that thing may bring death/calamity to him/her.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A path that one thinks is good
    may later lead to the mouth of death.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(It is) possible that you (sing.) think that you (sing.) are on the right path, but in-fact/(surprise particle) the destination/place-to-go of it is death.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “There is a path that is as-if good/nice in the sight/viewpoint of people, and the result of it come-to-find-out is death.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “There are some kinds of behavior that some people falsely think are right,
    but walking on those roads/continually doing those things causes those people to die.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 14:12

14:12

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

12a There is a way that seems right to a man,

12b but its end is the way of death.

14:12a

There is a way that seems right to a man: This verse has the familiar figure of a way or path. This path appears to be “straight” according to the viewpoint of a person. The figurative meaning is that a certain behavior or way of life may appear to be right or correct. Since the figure of a way/path occurs throughout Proverbs, it is recommended that you keep the figure if possible. For example:

A road may seem straightforward (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You may think you are on the right road (Contemporary English Version)

14:12b

but its end is the way of death: The phrase translated here as its end refers figuratively to the outcome or result of following the path in 14:12a.

General Comment on 14:12a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel clauses of this verse into one clause. For example:

You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
What you think is the right road may lead to death. (Good News Translation)

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