Proverbs 17:24
The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
In context
21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. 24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Compare in other versions
- KJV King James Version
— Proverbs 17:24 in the KJV
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- NIV New International Version
— Proverbs 17:24 in the NIV
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.