Proverbs 20:14 Meaning and Explanation
“It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A buyer disparages a good to negotiate a low price, then boasts about their bargain once the deal is done.
The Context of Proverbs 20:14
Proverbs exposes common dishonesty in commerce and negotiation.
What Does Proverbs 20:14 Mean?
The buyer employs a deceptive tactic: he pronounces the merchandise worthless ('It is naught, it is naught') to convince the seller to lower the price. His words mask his true assessment. This haggling tactic depends on misrepresenting the item's value to gain advantage.
Once the buyer has made his purchase and left, he boasts about the excellent deal he obtained. His earlier disparagement revealed itself as mere strategy; he knew the goods had value. The verse exposes the dishonesty of bargaining through deliberate understatement.
Proverbs 20:14 in the Original Language
'Boasteth' (הִלֵּל, halal) — to praise or glorify; here, to speak boastfully about one's own cleverness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 20:14
What does Proverbs 20:14 mean?
A buyer disparages a good to negotiate a low price, then boasts about their bargain once the deal is done.
What is the context of Proverbs 20:14?
Proverbs exposes common dishonesty in commerce and negotiation.