KJV ORIGINAL
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Even a foolish person, when they keep quiet, is thought to be wise. And someone who keeps their mouth shut is considered to have understanding.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that sometimes the wisest thing you can do is simply stay silent—even foolish people can appear wise when they don't speak.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's wisdom literature, likely compiled during Solomon's reign or shortly after. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, wisdom was highly valued and wise speech was considered a mark of good character and social standing. The Hebrew wisdom tradition emphasized the power of words and the importance of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
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