Proverbs 27:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No amount of punishment or hardship will cure a fool of their foolishness.
The Context of Proverbs 27:22
A truth about the stubborn nature of foolishness and the limits of punishment.
What Does Proverbs 27:22 Mean?
The image is extreme: even grinding a fool to powder (as if in a mortar with a pestle) will not remove foolishness from him. His folly is so integral to him that external pressure cannot change it—because foolishness is a matter of the heart, not circumstance.
This teaches that foolishness is not a problem solved by force or suffering alone. It requires the fool's own willingness to abandon folly and embrace wisdom, something hardship cannot compel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 27:22
What does Proverbs 27:22 mean?
No amount of punishment or hardship will cure a fool of their foolishness.
What is the context of Proverbs 27:22?
A truth about the stubborn nature of foolishness and the limits of punishment.