Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
2
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.
3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 20:1 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Proverbs 20:1 say?
Proverbs 20:1 in the American Standard Version reads: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. ”
Where is Proverbs 20:1 in the Bible?
Proverbs 20:1 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 1.
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 20:1.
What translation should I read Proverbs 20:1 in?
Proverbs 20:1 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 20:1?
Proverbs 20:1 reads (ASV): “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. ” 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.