Proverbs – Chapter 14

Old Testament35 Verses

Chapter Summary

Proverbs 14 opens with the words: "A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built." Across its 35 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and justice and care for the poor. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.

2He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, is despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.

3In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.

4Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.

5A faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful witness uttereth a lie.

6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.

7Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.

8The wisdom of a discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.

9A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.

10The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.

11The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacles of the just shall flourish.

12There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.

13Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the ends of joy.

14A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.

15The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight.

16A wise man feareth, and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over, and is confident.

17The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.

18The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent shall look for knowledge.

19The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of the just.

20The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.

21He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.

22They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.

23In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.

24The crown of the wise, is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.

25A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.

26In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.

27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of death.

28In the multitude of people is the dignity of the king: and in the small number of the people the dishonour of the prince.

29He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.

30Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.

31He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.

32The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.

33In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.

34Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.

35A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.

Important Verses in Proverbs 14

A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.

Proverbs 14:1

The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.

Proverbs 14:10

He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.

Proverbs 14:21

A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.

Proverbs 14:25

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Proverbs was written with the young and all who seek to live skillfully before God in view. Chapter 14 of 31 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 35 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built." It concludes: "A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger. " In terms of historical background, Proverbs distills practical wisdom for daily life—speech, work, friendship, family, money—under one master principle: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Prov 9:10). The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'

When It Was Written

Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built." The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2632). Here, Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize wisdom for daily living as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Proverbs Chapter 14 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Gregory the Great and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The passage calls believers to grasp that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Let Proverbs Chapter 14 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proverbs Chapter 14 about?

Proverbs 14 contains 35 verses. It opens with "A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built." and closes with "A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger. ". The book as a whole is wisdom sayings and instructions.

What is a key verse in Proverbs 14?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Proverbs and when?

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'. Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

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