Proverbs 11:22 Meaning and Explanation
“As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Beauty without wisdom is like a precious jewel adorning a pig—grotesque and absurd.
The Context of Proverbs 11:22
The integration of beauty and wisdom.
What Does Proverbs 11:22 Mean?
The image is jarring: imagine the most valuable, delicate ornament placed in the filth of a pig's snout. The absurdity underscores a truth about beauty and character. Physical beauty divorced from wisdom loses all its value and becomes not an adornment but a violation.
A fair woman without discretion—without the wisdom to use her beauty rightly, to protect herself, to discern others—is similarly misused. Her beauty, which could be an asset, becomes a liability because her lack of judgment exposes her to harm and dishonor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 11:22
What does Proverbs 11:22 mean?
Beauty without wisdom is like a precious jewel adorning a pig—grotesque and absurd.
What is the context of Proverbs 11:22?
The integration of beauty and wisdom.