'Fools' in the Bible

As for me, how could I get rid of my shame and disgrace? And you, you will be considered one of the fools in Israel. So now, just speak to the king [about taking me as your wife], for he will not withhold me from you.”

“He makes [great and scheming] counselors walk barefootAnd makes fools of judges.

Consider thoughtfully, you senseless (stupid ones) among the people;And you [dull-minded] fools, when will you become wise and understand?

Fools, because of their rebellious way,And because of their sins, were afflicted.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning?How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

“For the turning away of the naive will kill them,And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.

The wise will inherit honor and glory,But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.

“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].

The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.

A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time],But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.

Desire realized is sweet to the soul;But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].

He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.

Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools],But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom],But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.

Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

Judgments are prepared for scoffers,And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.

When you make a vow or a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God takes no pleasure in fools [who thoughtlessly mock Him]. Pay what you vow.

The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning,But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure.

It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise man and pursue wisdomThan for one to listen to the song of fools and pursue stupidity.

Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,For anger dwells in the heart of fools.

The words of wise men heard in quietness are better than the shouting of one who rules among fools.

The labor of a fool so wearies him [because he is ignorant] that he does not even know how to go to a city.

The princes of Zoan have acted like fools,The princes of Memphis are deluded [and entertain false hope];Those who are the cornerstone of her tribesHave led Egypt astray.

A highway will be there, and a roadway;And it will be called the Holy Way.The unclean will not travel on it,But it will be for those who walk on the way [the redeemed];And fools will not wander on it.

Frustrating the signs and confounding the omens of boasters (false prophets),Making fools out of fortune-tellers,Counteracting the wiseAnd making their knowledge ridiculous,

“A sword against the oracle priests (the babbling liars), and they will become fools!A sword against her mighty warriors, and they will be shattered and destroyed!