Proverbs 15:14-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.[a]
15 All the days of the poor are evil,
but a good heart is a continual feast.[b]
16 [c]Better a little with fear of the Lord
than a great fortune with anxiety.
Footnotes
- 15:14 The contrasts include heart (organ of reflection) and mouth (organ of expression), and the wise and fools. One type feeds its mind with wisdom and the other feeds its face with folly.
- 15:15 Good heart does not refer to good intentions but to an instructed mind. Wisdom makes poverty not only bearable but even joyful like the joy of feast days.
- 15:16–17 The sages favor wealth over poverty—but not at any price; cf. Ps 37:16.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.