CHAPTER 14 Apr. 4 
Fools: Their Characteristics and Destiny
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. 3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. 6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 7Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. 9Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will. 10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger. 11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

Consider Carefully Every Word
14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. 15A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. 16A wise man fears, and shuns evil, but the fool is hotheaded and reckless. 17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbour, but the rich person has many friends. 21He who despises his neighbour sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor. 22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. 23In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. 25A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful. 26In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and He will be a refuge for His children. 27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but without people the prince is nothing. 29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. 30The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. 31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honours Him. 32The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. 33Wisdom remains in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools. 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35The king’s favour is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame. 

Commentary

14:7 Stay away from a foolish man- This is typical of many such commands in Proverbs. But we should remember that Solomon was writing to Israelites living within the people of God. Just because someone is part of God’s people doesn’t make them wise; we still have to decide wisely as to with whom we will closely walk in life.
14:8 Folly is here parallel with a lack of serious self-examination. In our day, the breaking of bread service is designed to provoke self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28).
14:10 The way of wisdom isn’t to wear our heart on our sleeve, sharing our innermost thoughts with everyone and anyone.
14:11 Note the contrast between “the house” and “the tent”; the upright have the attitude that they are just passing through this life, with no permanent abode in this world in this present age (Heb. 13:14).
14:17 Quiet craftiness is as bad as hotheaded behaviour which is visible to everyone.
14:27 Turning people from the snares of death- But 13:14 says people are saved from the snares of death by our teaching them. The content of that teaching must therefore be the fear of God. His salvation is there in His word, but it becomes real for people by our teaching of it to them.
14:31 Therefore our attitude to the poor is our attitude to God. Hence Jesus teaches that He will judge us according to how we treated our poor brethren, because they represent Him (Mt. 25:40).
14:33 The fool perceives wisdom in his innermost conscience, but only in passing; it doesn’t remain within his consciousness as it does within the heart of the righteous. Passing interest in spirituality is very common in our world; but God’s truth must abide within our heart if we are to be truly wise.