Proverbs 14:18 Meaning and Explanation
“The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The simple inherit foolishness; the prudent gain knowledge as a crown.
The Context of Proverbs 14:18
What we inherit and what we pursue shapes who we become.
What Does Proverbs 14:18 Mean?
The simple person receives folly as his legacy and inheritance. Either he receives it from those who taught him, or his own choices entrench it in him. Whatever the source, folly becomes his possession—it marks him, guides him, defines his path. He is bound by it.
The prudent person, by contrast, gains knowledge, and this knowledge crowns him. Like a crown, knowledge adorns, elevates, and honors him. His pursuit of understanding results in a treasure that marks him as elevated and wise. His legacy is not folly but the crown of learning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 14:18
What does Proverbs 14:18 mean?
The simple inherit foolishness; the prudent gain knowledge as a crown.
What is the context of Proverbs 14:18?
What we inherit and what we pursue shapes who we become.