Proverbs 23:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Listen, become wise, and take charge of your own inner direction.
The Context of Proverbs 23:19
Call to personal agency: listen, become wise, and direct your own path.
What Does Proverbs 23:19 Mean?
To be wise is to hear instruction and internalize it so thoroughly that it shapes your decisions from within. The parent calls the son to active participation in his own formation—not passive obedience, but conscious guidance of his heart along the path of wisdom.
Guiding the heart in the way means making deliberate choices about your desires, thoughts, and loyalties. You are not a victim of circumstance or impulse; wisdom gives you the discernment and will to steer yourself toward life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 23:19
What does Proverbs 23:19 mean?
Listen, become wise, and take charge of your own inner direction.
What is the context of Proverbs 23:19?
Call to personal agency: listen, become wise, and direct your own path.