Proverbs 23:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Acquire truth and wisdom at any cost; guard them as your most precious possession.
The Context of Proverbs 23:23
Paradox of value: truth is precious and worth any price; must never be sold.
What Does Proverbs 23:23 Mean?
To buy truth means to pay whatever price is necessary—time, effort, comfort, perhaps even reputation—to obtain it. The exhortation values truth as worth more than material gain. Selling it means abandoning or trading it away for lesser goods (money, approval, ease). Once acquired, truth must be guarded fiercely.
Wisdom, instruction, and understanding are listed together as interconnected treasures. This is not theoretical knowledge but practical discernment applied to life. The verse treats these as more valuable than any riches or status because they are the foundation of a well-lived life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 23:23
What does Proverbs 23:23 mean?
Acquire truth and wisdom at any cost; guard them as your most precious possession.
What is the context of Proverbs 23:23?
Paradox of value: truth is precious and worth any price; must never be sold.