Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool who remains silent is considered ¹  wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning. ² 

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart.

Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.

Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Even a fool who remains silent is considered ¹  wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning. ² 

¹ tn The imperfect tense here denotes possibility: One who holds his tongue [may be considered] discerning.

² tn The Niphal participle is used in the declarative/estimative sense with stative verbs: “to be discerning” (Qal) becomes “to be declared discerning” (Niphal). The proverb is teaching that silence is one evidence of wisdom, and that even a fool can thereby appear wise. D. Kidner says that a fool who takes this advice is no longer a complete fool (Proverbs [TOTC], 127). He does not, of course, become wise – he just hides his folly.