Proverbs 29:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pursuing wisdom honors your parents; pursuing vice wastes your inheritance.
The Context of Proverbs 29:3
Proverbs on the path: choose wisdom and gladden your family, or choose vice and impoverish yourself.
What Does Proverbs 29:3 Mean?
A child who loves wisdom and pursues it becomes a source of joy to parents—the hope that their child will thrive, learn, and live well is fulfilled. This ties wisdom to family blessing: the son or daughter's good choices are a parent's deepest joy.
The second image is ruin through vice: keeping company with harlots (here emblematic of dissolute living) drains wealth and character. The contrast is sharp—one path brings honor and strengthens the family bond, the other squanders resources and breaks the parents' heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 29:3
What does Proverbs 29:3 mean?
Pursuing wisdom honors your parents; pursuing vice wastes your inheritance.
What is the context of Proverbs 29:3?
Proverbs on the path: choose wisdom and gladden your family, or choose vice and impoverish yourself.