The Bible has a lot to say about fools and foolish behavior. Here is an overview of some of the key characteristics of a fool according to Scripture:
Fools despise wisdom and instruction
The book of Proverbs repeatedly warns that fools despise wisdom and reject instruction and correction. They have no interest in gaining understanding or knowledge.
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2)
“Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” (Proverbs 9:7-8)
Fools are fixated on folly
Fools not only reject wisdom – they are obsessed with pursuing foolishness instead. They find folly amusing and make it their focus.
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
“Fools find pleasure in evil conduct.” (Proverbs 10:23)
Fools are arrogant and contentious
The book of Proverbs portrays fools as arrogant people who stir up strife and arguments. They have an inflated sense of self and aggressively assert their foolish opinions.
“Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.” (Proverbs 17:12)
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Proverbs 18:6-7)
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2)
Fools are morally deficient
Not only are fools unwise – they lack moral sense and engage in all kinds of depravity. Proverbs associates fools with sexual promiscuity, perversion, lying, violence, laziness, gluttony, and other sins.
“The devising of folly is sin.” (Proverbs 24:9)
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Fools are incapable of wise speech
Proverbs points out that fools lack the capacity for wise, discerning speech. Their words get them into trouble.
“The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” (Proverbs 15:2)
“The words of a fool are ruin to him.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)
Fools reject discipline and don’t learn from mistakes
No matter how often they mess up, fools fail to improve their ways. They ignore discipline and refuse to learn from consequences.
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:1)
“Strike a scoffer and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding and he will gain knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:25)
“If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs.” (Proverbs 29:9)
Fools are complacent and unprepared
The book of Proverbs portrays fools as complacent people who fail to look ahead and prepare for the future. Their lack of diligence leaves them vulnerable.
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 22:3)
“As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.” (Proverbs 26:14-15)
Fools lack common sense and self-control
Proverbs depicts fools as having poor judgment and little self-restraint. They act impulsively without considering consequences.
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11)
“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)
Fools cannot perceive or speak wisdom
The book of Ecclesiastes makes the point that true wisdom is beyond the grasp of fools. They have no capacity to attain or relay it.
“The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.” (Ecclesiastes 9:17)
“Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:3)
“If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.” (Ecclesiastes 10:4)
Fools mismanage money and work
Proverbs strongly criticizes fools for laziness, mismanaging finances, and neglecting work. Their lack of discipline leads to poverty and want.
“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” (Proverbs 18:9)
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” (Proverbs 28:19)
“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” (Proverbs 20:13)
Fools spread foolishness
The book of Proverbs points out that one foolish person can influence many others to adopt foolish ways. Fools spread silliness and moral corruption.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:7)
“Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.” (Proverbs 22:10)
Fools cannot learn wisdom
Proverbs makes it clear that fools are incapable of learning wisdom. They reject correction and are unable to attain insight.
“Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.” (Proverbs 9:7)
“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.” (Proverbs 26:3)
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
Fools lack sense and invite trouble
The book of Proverbs frequently equates fools with people who lack sense. Their foolishness puts them in danger and brings strife.
“A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” (Proverbs 18:2)
“The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 27:12)
“A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.” (Proverbs 14:3)
Fools do not acknowledge God
Psalms and Proverbs both indicate that one defining trait of fools is rejecting or ignoring God. Fools are marked by unbelief and disinterest in spiritual things.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
Jesus warned against calling others fools
Although Scripture contains many admonitions against foolishness, Jesus commanded His followers not to insult others by calling them fools.
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22)
Foolishness leads to destruction
The book of Proverbs warns that those who stubbornly cling to folly and reject wisdom are on a path to ruin. Foolishness leads ultimately to destruction.
“Fools die for lack of sense.” (Proverbs 10:21)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. . . . The ruin of the proud was ordained, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” (Proverbs 12:15, 7b)
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11 KJV)
The Bible contains story after story of foolish characters that met tragic ends because of their lack of wisdom and disregard for God:
– Pharaoh in Exodus stubbornly rejected God and brought destruction on Egypt.
– Samson’s moral folly made him vulnerable to Delilah’s deception. (Judges 16)
– Solomon’s wives turned his heart to idolatry in his old age. (1 Kings 11)
– Haman’s arrogance led him to construct gallows intended for his enemy Mordecai, but Haman himself was hanged on them. (Esther 5-7)
– In Jesus’ parable, the rich fool who built bigger barns but neglected his soul faced divine rebuke. (Luke 12:16-21)
– In the parable of the 10 virgins, foolish virgins who neglected to bring oil for their lamps missed the bridegroom and were shut out. (Matthew 25:1-13)
The moral is clear: Foolishness leads to disaster. But wisdom leads to blessing:
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.” (Proverbs 14:8)
The Bible urges us to turn from foolishness and cultivate wisdom, which begins with reverence for the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”