Proverbs 17:28 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

English ASV

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

English Amplified

Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent — discerning, when he seals his lips.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

English EASY 2024

Even a fool seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. If he keeps his mouth shut, people will think that he is clever.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning, when he seals his lips.

English KJV 1611

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

English LSB

Even an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise; when he shuts his lips he is deemed a man of understanding.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

We think even a foolish person is wise if he keeps silent. We think he understands what is right if he controls his tongue.

English NIV

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

English NKJ 1982

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

English NLT

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

When even a fool bites his tongue he’s considered wise. So shut your mouth when you are provoked— it will make you look smart.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

It pays him to keep his mouth shut.

English Tyndale 1537

Yea a very fool (when he holdeth his tongue) is counted wise, and to have understanding, when he shutteth his lips.

Proverbs 17:28 — Compare Translations