The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The first proverb highlights that while a wise son brings joy to his father, it's specifically the mother who experiences the "heaviness" or profound sorrow from a foolish son. This isn't about favoring one parent's feelings, but rather acknowledging the unique depth of a mother's grief, often rooted in her intimate knowledge and nurturing role.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks the beginning of a new collection of Solomon's proverbs, moving from introductory wisdom teachings to distinct, self-contained sayings. These proverbs are characterized by their often contrasting pairs, highlighting the stark difference between wisdom and foolishness, virtue and vice. The focus here is on the profound impact a child’s character has on their parents, setting the stage for a series of observations about life, conduct, and their consequences.
Have you ever noticed how a book might have an introduction before the real story begins? Proverbs is like that!
Proverbs 10:1 signals a shift. The chapters before this one (1-9) serve as a grand introduction, setting the stage for wisdom and laying out its importance. They often use longer, more narrative forms to explain wisdom's value. Chapter 10, however, kicks off a new collection. These proverbs are shorter, more distinct, and often presented in pairs that contrast different ideas. Think of it as moving from a detailed lecture to a series of sharp, memorable maxims.
Children bring so much emotion into a parent's life. This verse highlights just how profound that connection can be.
This proverb paints a vivid picture of how a child's character directly affects their parents' well-being. A 'wise son'—meaning one who is prudent, obedient, and godly—brings joy and gladness to his father. This joy isn't just superficial happiness; it's a deep satisfaction knowing their child is on the right path. Conversely, a 'foolish son'—one who is rebellious, disobedient, or wicked—causes 'heaviness' or deep sorrow to his mother. While the verse mentions father and mother separately, the commentators suggest that both parents are deeply affected by their children's choices. The sorrow is specifically attributed to the mother partly because historically, mothers might have been more closely involved in daily life, experiencing the child's foolishness more intimately, and perhaps due to a generally more sensitive emotional response.
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Ever feel like some sayings just stick with you because of how they're phrased? Proverbs uses a powerful literary technique to make its points unforgettable.
Proverbs 10:1 is a perfect example of 'antithetic parallelism,' a key feature of wisdom literature in the Bible. This means the verse presents two contrasting ideas or statements. The first line ('A wise son makes a glad father') is set against the second line ('but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother'). The words and concepts are often opposites: 'wise' versus 'foolish,' 'glad' versus 'heaviness' (sorrow). This technique isn't just for style; it powerfully drives home the message. By highlighting the stark differences between the outcomes of wisdom and foolishness, the proverb makes its point undeniable and memorable. It forces us to consider the consequences of our choices by showing us the opposite results.
Understand the original words
mashal · Hebrew Noun
A concise, pithy saying, often in poetic form, designed to convey wisdom, moral truth, or practical observation about life. In Proverbs, it serves as a vehicle for divine instruction.
chakam · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
In biblical wisdom literature, this refers to one who fears the Lord and lives in accordance with His moral order, demonstrating practical skill in godly living.
kesil · Hebrew Noun
In Proverbs, this describes one who rejects God's wisdom, lacks moral discernment, and lives in a way that is contrary to divine law, leading to self-destruction.
This verse uses the same Hebrew word for 'sorrow' or 'heaviness' as Proverbs 10:1, directly linking a foolish son to causing deep grief.
Proverbs 15:20This proverb echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 10:1 by stating that a wise son brings joy to his father, reinforcing the core theme of parental happiness tied to a child's wisdom.
Proverbs 29:3This passage directly contrasts the outcomes of wisdom and folly in relation to family, stating that a wise son brings joy while a lover of prostitutes brings shame to his father.
Luke 15:20The parable of the Prodigal Son powerfully illustrates the 'heaviness' a foolish son can bring and the profound joy his return brings, mirroring the proverb's core message in a narrative form.
Genesis 4:1-16The tragic story of Cain and Abel demonstrates the devastating consequences of a son's foolishness and rebellion, which brings deep sorrow and distress to his parents, particularly his mother Eve.
bensonProverbs 10:1: "The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother."
Proverbs 10:1 . The Proverbs of Solomon — Properly so called; for the foregoing chapters, although they had this title in the beginning of them, yet, in truth, were only a preparation to them, intended to stir up men’s minds to the greater attention to all the precepts of wisdom, whereof some here follow; see the argument prefixed to this chapter. A wise son — That is, pr…
clarkeProverbs 10:1: "The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother."
The proverbs of Solomon - Some ancient MSS. of the Vulgate have Proverbiorum liber secundus, "The second book of the Proverbs." The preceding nine chapters can only be considered as an introduction, if indeed they may be said to make even a part, of the proverbs of Solomon, which appear to commence only at the tenth chapter. A wise son maketh a glad father - The parallels…
The first proverb highlights that while a wise son brings joy to his father, it's specifically the mother who experiences the "heaviness" or profound sorrow from a foolish son. This isn't about favoring one parent's feelings, but rather acknowledging the unique depth of a mother's grief, often rooted in her intimate knowledge and nurturing role.
This verse marks the beginning of a new collection of Solomon's proverbs, moving from introductory wisdom teachings to distinct, self-contained sayings. These proverbs are characterized by their often contrasting pairs, highlighting the stark difference between wisdom and foolishness, virtue and vice. The focus here is on the profound impact a child’s character has on their parents, setting the stage for a series of observations about life, conduct, and their consequences.
This verse marks the beginning of a new collection of Solomon's proverbs, moving from introductory wisdom teachings to distinct, self-contained sayings. These proverbs are characterized by their often contrasting pairs, highlighting the stark difference between wisdom and foolishness, virtue and vice. The focus here is on the profound impact a child’s character has on their parents, setting the stage for a series of observations about life, conduct, and their consequences.
"The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother." — The first proverb highlights that while a wise son brings joy to his father, it's specifically the *mother* who experiences the "heaviness" or profound sorrow from a foolish son. This isn't about fav…
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Last reviewed October 2026