Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 27:12 - 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
" A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. "
Proverbs 27:12
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
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This point was made before, in Proverbs 22:3. Evil can often be seen ahead of time. When there is temptation, it is easy to know that if we walk into it, we will sin. It is just as easy to know that if we choose sin, punishment will follow. God usually warns before he strikes, because he has placed watchmen over us (Jeremiah 6:17).
It will go well or badly with us depending on whether we use the warning we have. A prudent person, meaning a wise and careful person, sees the danger and acts accordingly. He hides himself from it. But the simple person is either too dull to see the danger, or too stubborn and lazy to avoid it. So he goes on safely in his own eyes, and then suffers for it.
We do well for ourselves when we make provision for what lies ahead.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 27:1
"Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring."
Proverbs 27:2
"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
Proverbs 27:3
"A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both."
Proverbs 27:4
"Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?"
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
Proverbs 27:6
"The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse."
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