Proverb

A popular saying, regarded as conveying wisdom. Scripture records a great number of didactic proverbs and also preserves some popular sayings.

Proverbs identified with wisdom

Proverbs 26:7 See also Psalm 49:1–4; Proverbs 1:1–6, Proverbs 26:9; Ecclesiastes 12:9–11

Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Solomon's many proverbs

1 Kings 4:29–34 See also Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 25:1; Ecclesiastes 12:9–10

And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than all men— wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. So men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

Kinds of proverb

On wisdom

Proverbs 15:33 See also Proverbs 10:13, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 12:8, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 18:4, Proverbs 19:8, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 23:4, Proverbs 23:9, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 29:15

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

On righteousness and wickedness

Proverbs 10:3 See also Proverbs 10:16, Proverbs 10:28–32, Proverbs 11:10, Proverbs 12:3, Proverbs 12:10, Proverbs 12:21, Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 13:9, Proverbs 14:32, Proverbs 16:31, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 25:26, Proverbs 29:2

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked.

On wealth and poverty

Proverbs 10:22 See also Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 22:1–2, Proverbs 22:4, Proverbs 23:4–5, Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 29:3

The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.

On speech and silence

Proverbs 10:19 See also Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 12:18–19, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 17:20, Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 21:6, Proverbs 21:23, Proverbs 25:15, Proverbs 28:23

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Longer discourses

Proverbs 1:10–19 See also Proverbs 3:1–10, Proverbs 3:13–18, Proverbs 5:1–23, Proverbs 7:1–5, Proverbs 30:15–16, Proverbs 30:21–31, Proverbs 31:10–31

Popular sayings

1 Samuel 24:12–13 See also 1 Samuel 10:9–12, 1 Samuel 19:23–24; Ezekiel 12:21–25, Ezekiel 16:44–48, Ezekiel 18:1–4; Luke 4:23–30; 2 Peter 2:17–22

May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.