Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 28:11 - 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
" The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him. "
Proverbs 28:11
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
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People who are rich are often quick to think they are wise, because, even if they know little else, they know how to gain and keep money. When people are proud of their wealth, they expect everyone to treat their words like truth and law. They want no one to disagree with them, and flatterers help keep that pride alive. These are the people who, like Jezebel’s prophets, praise the ones who feed them at their table.
On the other hand, poor people often show more wisdom than the rich. A poor person who has worked hard to gain wisdom has no easy way to build a reputation through money, so he has to prove himself by real insight. In that way, he may uncover the fact that the rich man is not as learned or as clever as people assume. This shows how differently God gives his gifts, for he gives wealth to some and wisdom to others, and it is easy to see which gift is the better one and which we should desire more earnestly.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 28:1
"The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:2
"In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge."
Proverbs 28:3
"A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops."
Proverbs 28:4
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:5
"Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully."
Proverbs 28:6
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich."
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