Proverbs 14:18

The naive inherit ¹  folly, but the shrewd ²  are crowned ³  with knowledge.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

The simpleton is clothed with folly, but the wise person is crowned with knowledge.

Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground.

Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge.

The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The naive inherit ¹  folly, but the shrewd ²  are crowned ³  with knowledge.

¹ tc G. R. Driver, however, proposed reading the verb as “are adorned” from הלה (“Problems in the Hebrew Text of Proverbs,” Bib 32 [1951]: 181). A similar reading is followed by a number of English versions (e.g., NAB, NRSV, NLT).

sn The proverb anticipates what the simple will receive, assuming they remain simpletons.

² tn Or “prudent” (KJV, NASB, NIV); NRSV, TEV “clever.”

³ tn The meaning of יַכְתִּרוּ (yakhtiru, Hiphil imperfect of כָּתַר, katar) is elusive. It may not mean “to be crowned” or “to crown themselves,” but “to encircle” or “to embrace.” BDB 509 s.v. כָּתַר Hiph suggests “to throw out crowns” (throw out knowledge as a crown) or “to encompass knowledge,” i.e., possess it (parallel to inherit).