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: King James Version
" The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. "
Proverbs 28:11
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have 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.
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From This Chapter
Proverbs 28:1
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:2
"For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged."
Proverbs 28:3
"A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food."
Proverbs 28:4
"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend"
Proverbs 28:5
"Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand"
Proverbs 28:6
"Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."
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