Proverbs 26:16 bbe — The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.

Bible in Basic English

"The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense."

— Proverbs 26:16, Bible in Basic English

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Proverbs 26:16 in Other Translations

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Proverbs 26 — Context

13

The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14

A door is turned on its pillar, and the hater of work on his bed.

15

The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin: lifting it again to his mouth is a weariness to him.

16

The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.

17

He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.

18

As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

19

So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?

Proverbs 26:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 26:16 say?
Proverbs 26:16 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.”
Where is Proverbs 26:16 in the Bible?
Proverbs 26:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 26, verse 16.
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 26:16.
What translation should I read Proverbs 26:16 in?
Proverbs 26:16 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 26:16?
Proverbs 26:16 reads (BBE): “The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.” 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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