Proverbs 11:15 Meaning and Explanation
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Guaranteeing a stranger's debt brings trouble; rejecting such entanglement brings safety.
The Context of Proverbs 11:15
The danger of assuming another's obligations.
What Does Proverbs 11:15 Mean?
To be surety for another—to guarantee their debt or obligation—is to bind yourself to the consequence of their failure. When you vouch for a stranger whose character and ability you do not deeply know, you place yourself at risk. The inevitable result is that you will 'smart for it'—suffer loss and regret.
Wisdom lies in hating suretiship, in refusing to make yourself liable for another's obligation without certainty. Such refusal is not coldness but prudence. By keeping yourself free of such entanglement, you secure your own foundation.
Proverbs 11:15 in the Original Language
arav (עָרַב), 'be surety' — to go bail for someone, pledging yourself for their debt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 11:15
What does Proverbs 11:15 mean?
Guaranteeing a stranger's debt brings trouble; rejecting such entanglement brings safety.
What is the context of Proverbs 11:15?
The danger of assuming another's obligations.