Proverbs 10 - Meaning, Themes & Application

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 10:1 means children’s choices deeply affect their parents’ hearts. Wise, responsible living brings joy and pride, while selfish or reckless behavior causes worry and …

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 10:2 means money or success gained by cheating or hurting others will not truly help you, especially when life gets hard or at death. …

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:3 means God cares for people who live right and won’t let their deepest needs go unmet, even when money is tight or life …

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverbs 10:4 means laziness leads to loss, while steady, careful work leads to provision and opportunity. It doesn’t promise instant wealth, but shows that God …

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Proverbs 10:5 means a wise person uses the right time to work and prepare, while a careless person wastes their chance and brings regret. It …

Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:6 means people who live honestly and do what’s right receive God’s favor, protection, and respect, while those who do wrong eventually suffer harm …

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Proverbs 10:7 means that people who live rightly are remembered with love and respect, while those who do wrong are eventually forgotten or spoken of …

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 10:8 means wise people listen, learn, and follow good instruction, while foolish people just love to talk and ignore advice, leading to trouble. In …

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Proverbs 10:9 means that living honestly and doing the right thing gives you security and peace of mind, while cheating or hiding sin will eventually …

He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 10:10 warns that sneaky, joking deceit (“winking with the eye”) hurts people, and loud, careless talk (“a prating fool”) leads to trouble. In real …

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:11 means that people who live rightly use their words to encourage, guide, and refresh others, like a life-giving spring. In contrast, harmful people …

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 10:12 means that hatred keeps arguments and hurt feelings alive, while real love chooses forgiveness and peace. When someone insults or betrays you, hatred …

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Proverbs 10:13 means wise people show their understanding by the way they speak, but foolish people learn the hard way through painful consequences. In everyday …

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Proverbs 10:14 means wise people quietly learn, remember, and think before they speak, while foolish people talk carelessly and cause trouble. In daily life, it’s …

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Proverbs 10:15 means money can provide real protection, while deep lack of money can trap people and make life fall apart. It warns us not …

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:16 means that when people live rightly and work honestly, their efforts lead to blessing, growth, and true satisfaction. But when people live selfishly …

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Proverbs 10:17 means that people who listen to guidance and correction stay on a path that leads to a good, healthy life. Those who ignore …

He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 10:18 means it’s foolish to pretend you like someone while secretly hating them or to spread damaging rumors. God sees hidden bitterness and lies …

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:19 means the more we talk, the more likely we are to say something hurtful, foolish, or untrue. Wise people know when to stay …

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Proverbs 10:20 means that honest, godly words are extremely valuable, while the thoughts and motives of the wicked are worthless. In daily life, this reminds …

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Proverbs 10:21 means that when godly, wise people speak, their words strengthen, guide, and “feed” others spiritually and emotionally. In contrast, foolish people suffer because …

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 10:22 means real success comes from God, not just from hard work or money. When God blesses, it brings peace instead of regret or …

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 10:23 means foolish people treat doing wrong like a game, enjoying trouble and hurting others. Wise people, however, think ahead and choose what’s right. …

The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Proverbs 10:24 means people often end up facing what they live for. Those who do wrong eventually meet the very trouble they fear—exposure, consequences, broken …

As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Proverbs 10:25 means that trouble and evil people are temporary, like a storm that quickly passes, but those who live God’s way stand firm like …

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Proverbs 10:26 means a lazy person causes sharp irritation and frustration to those who depend on them, like vinegar hurting teeth or smoke stinging eyes. …

The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Proverbs 10:27 means that respecting and obeying God usually leads to a longer, healthier, and more stable life, while ignoring God and choosing evil often …

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 10:28 means that people who live God’s way can look forward to lasting joy, while those who ignore Him will see their hopes collapse. …

The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 10:29 means God’s ways give strength, protection, and direction to people who try to live right, but bring ruin to those who choose evil. …

The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 10:30 means people who honor God and live with integrity have lasting security, while those who do wrong lose their place and stability. In …

The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Proverbs 10:31 means that people who live rightly will naturally speak wisdom that helps and guides others, while those who speak twisted, harmful words will …

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Proverbs 10:32 means people who follow God choose words that are kind, honest, and fitting, while those who ignore Him speak in harmful, twisted ways. …