Proverbs 11:12 nasb — He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.

NASB

"He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent."

— Proverbs 11:12, NASB

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Proverbs 11:12 in Other Translations

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Proverbs 11 — Context

9

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.

13

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

14

Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

15

He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

Proverbs 11:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 11:12 say?
Proverbs 11:12 in the NASB reads: “He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.”
Where is Proverbs 11:12 in the Bible?
Proverbs 11:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 11, verse 12.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 11:12.
What translation should I read Proverbs 11:12 in?
Proverbs 11:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 11:12?
Proverbs 11:12 reads (NASB): “He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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