The Way of the Wise          Food for thought   New International Version (©2011) The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. New Living Translation (©2007) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. English Standard Version (©2001) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. New American Standard Bible (©1995) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009) A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise. International Standard Version (©2012) The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion, but wise is the man who listens to advice. NET Bible (©2006) The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise. Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010) The way of the fool is beautiful in his eyes, and he that listens to counsel is wise. GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise. King James 2000 Bible (©2003) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise. American King James Version The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise. American Standard Version The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel. Douay-Rheims Bible The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels. Darby Bible Translation The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel. English Revised Version The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel. Webster's Bible Translation The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise. World English Bible The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel. Young's Literal Translation The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel is wise.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,.... Whether it be the way of open profaneness, or self-righteousness, it appears to him to be the right way; it seems to him a very plain one, and he finds it pleasant; and, trusting to carnal sense, corrupt reason, and a false judgment, and having a high opinion of himself and his own knowledge, never asks after the right way, nor takes the advice of others; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise; that asks advice and takes it of such who are men of age and experience, men of longer standing, and are wiser than himself; who consults the word of God about the right way of walk, worship, and salvation, and makes the testimonies of God the men of his counsel, which are able to make him wise unto salvation; who hearkens to the counsel of Gospel ministers, and obeys it; and especially to Jesus Christ the wonderful Counsellor, and to the advice he gives, Revelation 3:18; and who not only hears his words, but does them; such an one is a wise man, Matthew 7:24. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament 15 The way of the fool is right in his own eyes,      But the wise listeneth to counsel. Other proverbs, like Proverbs 16:2, say that generally the judgment of a man regarding his character does not go beyond a narrow subjectivity; but there are objective criteria according to which a man can prove whether the way in which he walks is right; but the fool knows not other standard than his own opinion, and however clearly and truly one may warn him that the way which he has chosen is the wrong way and leads to a false end, yet he obstinately persists; (Note: Vid., kindred proverbs by Carl Schulze, Die bibl. Sprichwrter der deutschen Sprache (1860), p. 50, and M. C. Wahl's Das Sprichwort in der heb.-aram. Literatur, u.s.w. (1871), p. 31.) while a wise man is not so wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 3:7) as not to be willing to listen to well-meant counsel, because, however careful he may be regarding his conduct, yet he does not regard his own judgment so unerring as not to be inclined ever anew to try it and let it stand the test. Ewald has falsely construed: yet whoever hears counsel is wise. In consequence of the contrast, אויל and חכם are the subject ideas, and with ושׁמע לעצה is brought forward that which is in contrast to the self-complacency of the fool, the conduct of the wise man. Geneva Study Bible The way of a fool is {g} right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise. (g) He stands in his own conceit, and condemns all others in respect to himself. Wesley's Notes 12:15 Hearkeneth - That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. The way … eyes-The fool is self-conceited (compare Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 12:14. When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being. 15. A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes.