Meaning, commentary and cross references
Proverbs 13:20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
NIV · New International Version
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
WEB · World English Bible
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
What does Proverbs 13:20 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise,.... Who is a companion of them that fear the Lord; converses frequently with them in private about spiritual and experimental things, and walks with them in public in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; he by those means grows wiser and wiser, gains a large stock of spiritual knowledge and experience; for this holds good both in natural and spiritual wisdom, a man of any capacity at all will improve by keeping wise company; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed; the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "shall become like them"; be a fool as they are, and grow still more and more foolish. The Septuagint version is, "shall be…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Proverbs 13:20
Note, 1. Those that would be good must keep good company, which is an evidence for them that they would be good (men's character is known by the company they choose) and will be a means of making them good, of showing them the way and of quickening and encouraging them in it. He that would be himself wise must walk with those that are so, must choose such for his intimate acquaintance, and converse with them accordingly; must ask and receive instruction from them, and keep up pious and profitable talk with them. Miss not the discourse of the elders, for they also learned of their fathers, Ecclesiasticus 8:9.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Proverbs 13:17–23 (WEB)
17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing. 18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored. 19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. 20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous. 23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 15:33–34
Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
- Proverbs 15:31
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
- Proverbs 9:6
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:14–18
Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
- Psalms 119:63
- Revelation 18:4
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues,
- Malachi 3:16
Then those who feared the LORD spoke one with another; and the LORD listened and heard, and a book of memory was written before him for those who feared the LORD and who honored his name.
- Proverbs 1:11–19
If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.