He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Proverbs is a collection of ancient wisdom sayings, most attributed to King Solomon of Israel — a man celebrated across the ancient world for his wisdom. This verse sits in a section that contrasts wisdom and folly. A "mocker" in the Hebrew tradition wasn't simply a sarcastic person — it referred to someone who actively and contemptuously scorned wisdom, correction, and God's ways. The verse makes a pragmatic observation drawn from lived experience: attempting to correct someone who has hardened themselves against truth will not change them — it will simply make you their next target. This is not pessimism or permission to look away. It is a call to discernment about when correction is genuinely useful and when it causes only harm.
Lord, give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be quiet. I want to be honest and courageous, but I don't want to waste words on ears that are closed — or lose myself in battles You haven't asked me to fight. Help me stop trying to fix what only You can change, and trust You with the people I can't seem to reach. Amen.
You've been in that conversation. Someone posts something wrong or cruel and your fingers hover over the keyboard. Or a family member says something at the holiday table that you know needs addressing — except you've addressed it before, and before that, and it never ends anywhere good. The proverb isn't giving you permission to be passive or cowardly. It's giving you permission to be *wise*. There is a particular kind of pride hiding inside the compulsion to always correct — a belief that if you just explain it well enough, one more time, with slightly better words, the mocker will finally see the light. But wisdom recognizes that not every battle is yours to fight, and not every person is ready to receive what you have to give. Discernment is not the same as indifference. Sometimes the wisest, most loving thing you can do is stop throwing yourself into the fire — and save your energy for the person across the room who is quietly, desperately, actually asking.
What does the writer of Proverbs seem to believe about the nature of mockery — is it just a bad attitude, or something more deeply rooted that explains why correction doesn't work on a mocker?
Can you think of a time when you kept trying to correct or convince someone who wasn't open to it — what did it cost you, and what, if anything, actually changed?
This verse could be used to justify never speaking hard truths to anyone. How do you distinguish between wisdom — knowing when to be silent — and cowardice or avoidance?
How does recognizing when *not* to engage affect your closest relationships — with a difficult family member, a stubborn coworker, or a stranger online?
Is there an ongoing argument or a relationship in your life right now where you might need to practice this kind of discernment — choosing to step back instead of stepping in again?
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
John 7:7
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Proverbs 12:1
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Proverbs 23:9
A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
Proverbs 13:1
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Proverbs 11:20
They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
Amos 5:10
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly .
Proverbs 3:34
He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.
AMP
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
ESV
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man [gets] insults for himself.
NASB
“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
NIV
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
NKJV
Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
NLT
If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
MSG