The Meaning of Proverbs 12:16 Explained

Proverbs 12:16

KJV: A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

YLT: The fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.

Darby: The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent man covereth shame.

ASV: A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A fool's  wrath  is presently  known:  but a prudent  [man] covereth  shame. 

What does Proverbs 12:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

A prudent person "ignores an insult" (RSV). The insult is dishonor to himself or herself. A fool"s reaction is "like an injured animal and so his opponent knows that he has been wounded." [1] A fool brings dishonor on himself and becomes vulnerable by making a big deal out of some insult that he received.

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 12

1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge

What do the individual words in Proverbs 12:16 mean?

Of a fool at once is known wrath but covers shame a prudent [man]
אֱוִ֗יל בַּ֭יּוֹם יִוָּדַ֣ע כַּעְס֑וֹ וְכֹסֶ֖ה קָל֣וֹן עָרֽוּם

אֱוִ֗יל  Of  a  fool 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱוִיל  
Sense: be foolish, foolish.
בַּ֭יּוֹם  at  once 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
יִוָּדַ֣ע  is  known 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
כַּעְס֑וֹ  wrath 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כַּעַס 
Sense: anger, vexation, provocation, grief.
וְכֹסֶ֖ה  but  covers 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
קָל֣וֹן  shame 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קָלֹון  
Sense: shame, disgrace, dishonour, ignominy.
עָרֽוּם  a  prudent  [man] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עָרוּם  
Sense: subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly, sensible.