Proverbs 12:23 Commentary and Bible Study

It does not mean concealing in a dishonest way, it means hides it, keeps it out of view, covers it, does not say everything he could say. Those who really love knowledge do not love it for the praise it brings them from men, but for its own sake. Knowledge is not something to be paraded before men, but to be used to edify ourselves and others. Certainly, it must be communicated – and the verse does not discourage this, for Solomon is teaching us as he says this – but the wise man would rather conceal knowledge than boast about it. He does not see himself as in competition with others to get his knowledge on show, but like Elihu is ready to let others speak first according to propriety. He trusts God to bring to light hidden things and therefore he is not anxious but ready to wait for the Lord to guide him at the right time. Nothing good can be concealed for long, and God has his own way of bringing forth what is hidden. Similarly, we may know something about another person but can be discrete about it, and not expose another’s minor faults. This is not dishonest behaviour but is a kindness which we would appreciate from others. The fool on the other hand, in his keenness to blurt out all he knows, says more than he should. The problem with the fool – and it is the silly fool, rather than the perverse fool who is in mind – is he is always babbling, he has got to tell you the whole story. He has not learnt to be quick to hear and slow to speak, and concludes that in any gathering he is the fittest person to speak and be listened to. But what comes out of his mouth is trivial, or misguided, or harmful to his hearers; it may be self-glorifying speech, or words that contradict the Lord. He ends up exposing his ignorance for all to see, and bringing shame on himself.