Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:23, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
American Standard Version
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
World English Bible version
It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
Proverbs 10:23 Meaning & Commentary
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. Proverbs 10:23 (ESV)
As we unpack this verse, let’s start with the “fool” described in this verse. The Bible says that doing wrong is like a joke to this person. This shows or highlights a few different things. Firstly, it shows that they do wrong knowingly. This is not speaking of someone who unknowingly does wrong, but instead of someone who knowingly and purposely does wrong. You cannot take, or view something as a joke, if you do not know what you are referring to.
So, the fool here knowingly does or participates in wrongdoing but does not see it for what it is – wrongdoing, wickedness, or evil, but instead sees it as a joke. An example could be someone speaking hurtful words to someone. This could be “taken” as a joke by the person speaking the words. However, the person to whom the words were directed could be deeply hurt by what was said. Conversely, the man of understanding finds pleasure in Wisdom.
A person who has understanding will know that what is done, said, and acted out has an impact and will be careful to walk in Wisdom and be sensitive to both their words and their deeds. Proverbs 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. So, a man of understanding has a cool spirit, as Proverbs 17:27 tells us.
Someone with a cool spirt can control their actions and will not easily be lured and tempted into doing wrong, such as the foolish person described in Proverbs 10:23 who then takes that wrongdoing as a joke. The person of understanding will delight in wisdom, taking the understanding that he has already and applying wisdom to his daily life.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 10:23 to our lives?
Of course, this verse tells us to not do wrong, but that should be obvious. The more practical application is to seek after understanding and wisdom. Knowledge is the bedrock of both understanding and wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of information, such as reading The Bible. Then, understanding is when you start to understand the knowledge which you have accumulated, and God begins to give you a greater understanding of what you “know”. Wisdom then is the practical application of knowledge and understanding in your life.
So, we need to set our face towards God’s Word and begin to grow in knowledge, understanding and wisdom. The Bible tells us that if we ask for Wisdom, God is faithful to give it to us: James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. As we grow in understanding, we will begin to seek out Wisdom and God’s ways of doing things, and foolishness will depart from our lives.
Another practical application is that we need to be mindful of who we surround ourselves with, as who we keep company with has a big impact on our lives: 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals. Keeping bad character can cause our morals to become ruined and cause us to start acting and behaving like a fool, and as Proverbs 10:23 says, wrong behavior will begin to show up in our lives, and it will be like a joke to us. Conversely, if we begin to keep good and healthy company with the right people, that too will begin to rub off on us: Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you today in Jesus’ name, and I ask that you help me recognize where I am walking in foolish ways and keeping foolish company. Help me to turn from these foolish ways and to set my face towards knowledge, understanding and wisdom. I pray that you would give me a hunger for your Word, and that you would bring people into my life who will be able to inspire me and cause me to grow in Wisdom so that I may not carrying out wrongdoing and that foolishness would be far from me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
