Proverbs 28:26

26 The one who trusts in himself^[a] is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^[b]

Proverbs 28:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:26

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool
Since the thoughts and imaginations of the thoughts of the heart are only evil, and that continually; they are vain and vague, sinful and corrupt; the affections are inordinate, the conscience defiled, the understanding darkened, and the will perverse; there is no good thing in it, nor any that comes out of it, but all the reverse; it is deceitful and desperately wicked: he must be a fool, and not know the plague of his heart, that trusts in it; and even for a good man to be self-confident, and trust to the sincerity of his heart, as Peter did, or to the good frame of the heart, as many do, is acting a foolish part; and especially such are fools as the Scribes and Pharisees, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, when a man's best righteousness is impure and imperfect, and cannot justify him in the sight of God; it is moreover a weak and foolish part in men to trust to the wisdom and counsel of their heart, to lean to their own understanding, even it, things natural and civil, and not to ask wisdom of God, or take the advice of men, and especially it, things religious and sacred; see ( Proverbs 3:5 Proverbs 3:6 ) ; but whoso walketh wisely;
as he does who walks according to the rule of the divine word; who makes the testimonies of the Lord his counsellors; who consults with his sacred writings, and follows the directions of them; who walks as he has Christ for his pattern and example, and makes the Spirit of God his guide, and walks after him, and not after the flesh; who walks with wise men, and takes their advice in all matters of moment, not trusting to his own wisdom and knowledge; who walks as becomes the Gospel of Christ, and in all the ordinances of it; who walks inoffensively to all men, and so in wisdom towards them that are without, and in love to them who are within; who walks circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time; he shall be delivered;
he shall be delivered from the snares of his own deceitful heart, which he will not trust; and from the temptations of Satan; and from all afflictions and troubles he meets with in the way; and from a final and total falling away; and from eternal death and destruction: "he shall be saved", as some versions render it, even with an everlasting salvation. The Targum is,

``he shall be protected from evil.''

Proverbs 28:26 In-Context

24 The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys.

25 A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.

26 The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

27 The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

28 When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit his heart
• [b]. Pr 3:5-7