Proverbs 14:15 Meaning and Explanation
“The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The simple believe everything; the prudent examine their path carefully.
The Context of Proverbs 14:15
Wisdom includes developing discernment about what and whom to trust.
What Does Proverbs 14:15 Mean?
The simple person is credulous, taking in every word without discernment. He believes what is told him, follows what is suggested, absorbs the ideas and pressures around him. This openness leaves him vulnerable to deception, manipulation, and error. His lack of critical judgment makes him easily led.
The prudent person, by contrast, looks carefully at his own going—examines his path, his direction, his choices. He tests what is told him. He verifies, he questions, he considers consequences. This careful attention protects him from the snares laid for the simple.
Proverbs 14:15 in the Original Language
peti (פְתִי), 'simple' — naive, lacking experience or judgment; easily deceived.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 14:15
What does Proverbs 14:15 mean?
The simple believe everything; the prudent examine their path carefully.
What is the context of Proverbs 14:15?
Wisdom includes developing discernment about what and whom to trust.