KJV ORIGINAL
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Do you see someone who thinks they're wise? There's more hope for a fool than for that person.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is warning that people who think they know everything are actually in worse shape than those who admit they don't know much.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wisdom sayings, written during Israel's golden age when practical wisdom for daily living was highly valued. In ancient Near Eastern culture, being 'wise in one's own eyes' was considered a serious character flaw that prevented learning and growth. The contrast between the self-deceived 'wise' person and the honest fool would have been a familiar teaching tool.
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