Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 18:13 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. "
Proverbs 18:13
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
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See here how people often expose themselves by the very thing that they hope will win them praise.
Some are proud of being quick. They answer a matter before they have heard it out, or even as soon as they hear about it. They think it is a credit to take up a case at once, and when they have heard only one side, they imagine the issue is so plain that they do not need to hear the other side. They believe they already understand it and know all the important points. Yet a sharp mind may be pleasant in conversation, but steady judgment and sound wisdom are what actually get work done.
Those who pride themselves on being quick commonly end up being seen as rude and out of place. It is foolish for a man to speak about a matter he does not understand, or to judge something when he is not fully informed and has not been patient enough to investigate carefully. And if it is foolish, it will be shameful too.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 18:1
"A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment."
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion."
Proverbs 18:3
"When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace."
Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook."
Proverbs 18:5
"To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings."
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