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Proverbs 17:20

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 17:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Proverbs 17:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
← Proverbs 17:19Proverbs 17:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that hath a froward heart findeth no good, etc.] Who is of a perverse spirit, meditates and devises evil things; is not ingenuous and sincere, but false and deceitful to God and men: such an one gets no good from either; he obtains not the favour of God, nor a good name, credit, and reputation among men; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief; or “that turns himself”, or “is turned in his tongue”f503; whose tongue is changeable, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; who sometimes says one thing, and sometimes another, and is not consistent with himself; as well as is contrary to all men: sooner or later he falls into mischief, into a pit, which he himself has dug for…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“No good - Shall not get that advantage which he expects. Proverbs 17:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He that hath a froward heart: Heb. The froward of heart, Pro 3:32, Pro 6:12-15, Pro 8:13; Psa 18:26 and he: Pro 10:10, Pro 10:14, Pro 10:31, Pro 18:6, Pro 18:7; Ecc 10:12; Jam 3:6-8 Proverbs 17:21”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification