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Proverbs 20:14

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 20:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Proverbs 20:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for foreigners.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
← Proverbs 20:13Proverbs 20:15 →
← Full Chapter 20 Proverbs Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“when . . . his way--implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Naught - Bad, worthless 2 Kings 2:19. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:14 Sellers must see past a buyer’s words to avoid being cheated.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“It is naught: Ecc 1:10; Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8; Th1 4:6 Proverbs 20:15”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following group has its natural limit at the new point of departure at Pro 20:20, and is internally connected in a diversity of ways. 14 "Bad, bad!" saith the buyer; And going his way, he boasteth then. Luther otherwise: "Bad, bad!" saith one if he hath it; But when it is gone, then he boasteth of it. This rendering has many supporters. Geier cites the words of the Latin poet: "Omne bonum praesens minus est, sperata videntur Magna." Schultens quotes the proverbs τὸ παρὸν βαρύ and Praesentia laudato, for with Luther he refers ואזל לו to the present possession (אזל, as Sa1 9:7 = (Arab.) zâl, to cease, to be lost), and translates: at dilapsum sibi, tum demum pro splendido celebrat. But…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification