Proverbs 14:7

Proverbs 14:7, in plain English

Spending your time with someone foolish wastes your opportunity to learn anything of value.

Why it's here

Time is your most limited resource. In Solomon's culture, who you spent time with shaped who you became. If you're constantly around someone whose conversation is foolish, you're not just wasting hours — you're allowing their influence to shape your thinking.

Who's speaking

Solomon, protecting you from one of the subtlest ways foolishness spreads

Where it sits in the story

This practical wisdom later appears in Paul's teaching about not being 'unequally yoked' and in the constant biblical theme that your associations influence your character. You can't spend your life in proximity to foolishness without it affecting you.

The scholarly reading

Avoid close association with foolish people because their company teaches you nothing of value and may corrupt your own judgment.

Language and setting

The prohibition לך (lekh, 'go' or 'walk away') appears as urgent counsel for the young person navigating social relationships. In the honor-shame culture of ancient Israel, association with fools could damage one's own reputation and redirect one's trajectory. The Hebrew נוגע (nogeya, often translated 'gain knowledge') literally means 'to touch' or 'to reach'—suggesting that even proximity to folly offers nothing to grasp hold of, no solid ground.

Voice

The sage-teacher, offering practical social wisdom about the importance of one's companions and influences.

Significance

This principle becomes especially acute in Proverbs' portrayal of the 'strange woman' (the temptress) and extends into New Testament warnings about 'unequal yoking' in 2 Corinthians 6:14. It reflects a biblical conviction that human relationships profoundly shape our moral and spiritual trajectories.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Read all of Proverbs 14 — In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence. The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.