Proverbs 17:28

In 11 translations

BSB

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

KJV

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

WEB

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

ASV

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

LSV

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, || He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent!

YLT

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

DBY

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

DRC

Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

GNV

Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.

JPS

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.

LXXE

Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃

LXX-Br

Ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας, δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Job 13:5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
• Ecclesiastes 10:14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
• Ecclesiastes 5:3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).