Proverbs 14:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Laughter can mask inner sorrow; false cheer ends in sadness.
The Context of Proverbs 14:13
Proverbs explores the connection between authentic living and true joy.
What Does Proverbs 14:13 Mean?
This verse speaks to the gap between outer appearance and inner reality. A person may laugh, may seem merry and light, while the heart carries sorrow. We are capable of performance—of maintaining a facade while suffering underneath. Laughter itself is not wrong, but laughter that denies or masks genuine pain is hollow.
When mirth is built on a false foundation—on denial, on escape, on pretense—the heaviness returns. The grief, the pain, the truth deferred does not disappear. The end of false cheerfulness is a heavier sorrow than facing what is true from the beginning. Genuine joy acknowledges reality; fake joy merely delays it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 14:13
What does Proverbs 14:13 mean?
Laughter can mask inner sorrow; false cheer ends in sadness.
What is the context of Proverbs 14:13?
Proverbs explores the connection between authentic living and true joy.