The Meaning of Proverbs 23:9 Explained

Proverbs 23:9

KJV: Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

YLT: In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.

Darby: Speak not in the ears of a foolish man, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

ASV: Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Speak  not in the ears  of a fool:  for he will despise  the wisdom  of thy words. 

What does Proverbs 23:9 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 23

1  Consider carefully what is before you

What do the individual words in Proverbs 23:9 mean?

In the hearing of a fool not do speak for he will despise the wisdom of your words
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־ תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־ יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י  In  the  hearing 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, fdc
Root: אֹזֶן  
Sense: ear, as part of the body.
כְ֭סִיל  of  a  fool 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כְּסִיל  
Sense: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one.
תְּדַבֵּ֑ר  do  speak 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
יָ֝ב֗וּז  he  will  despise 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בּוּז  
Sense: to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant.
לְשֵׂ֣כֶל  the  wisdom 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֶׂכֶל  
Sense: prudence, insight, understanding.
מִלֶּֽיךָ  of  your  words 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מִלָּה  
Sense: word, speech, utterance.