A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.

A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.

A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.

A fool despiseth his father's instruction,.... They are fools that despise any instruction that is wise, good, and profitable; and especially a father's instruction, whose love, tender affection, and care, will not suffer him, knowingly, to give any but what is good and wholesome: wherefore to despise it is not only a contempt of his authority, but a slight of his love; which are both very aggravating, and sufficiently demonstrate his folly; and of which he may be himself convinced when it is too late, and say, "how have I hated instruction and despised reproof?" Proverbs 5:12. He is a fool that despises the instruction of anyone superior to him in years and experience; of ministers of the word; and especially of our Father which is in heaven, declared in the sacred Scriptures, which are written for instruction in righteousness;
but he that regardeth reproof is prudent; the reproof of a father, whose corrections are to be submitted to, and received with reverence; and especially of the Father of spirits, whose rebukes are in love, and for profit and advantage; yea, he is a wise man that regards the reproof of the word of God, and the ministers of it; and indeed of any Christian, whether his superior, equal, or inferior, as David did, Psalm 141:5.

If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.

(Compare Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs. 13:1-18).
is prudent--acts discreetly.

5 A fool despiseth his father's correction;
But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
We may with equal correctness translate: he acts prudently (after 1-Samuel 23:22); and, he is prudent (after Proverbs 19:25). We prefer, with Jerome, Venet., and Luther, the latter, against the lxx, Syr., and Targ., because, without a doubt, the יערם is so thought of at Proverbs 19:25 : the contrast is more favourable to the former. It is true that he who regardeth reproof is not only prudent, but also that he is prudent by means of observing it. With line first cf. Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 1:30, and with line second, Proverbs 12:1. Luther translates: the fool calumniates...; but of the meanings of abuse (properly pungere) and scorn, the second is perhaps here to be preferred.