He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 17:21
What does Proverbs 17:21 mean?
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Proverbs 17:21
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This verse highlights a subtle, heartbreaking truth: the birth of a child meant for joy can, through their choices, become a source of deep sorrow for parents. The original Hebrew even uses two distinct words for "fool," suggesting that both obstinate defiance and dull senselessness bring a parent no true delight in their offspring. This isn't about a child's intelligence, but their character and how it leads them away from wisdom and right living.
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings in Proverbs that contrast foolishness with wisdom, often emphasizing the practical consequences of each. It appears in a section dealing with the relationship between parents and children, highlighting the deep emotional impact a child's character has on their father. The verse directly follows discussions about generosity and kindness, and precedes further reflections on speech and relationships.
The verse uses two different words for 'fool.' Why is this distinction important for understanding parental grief?
The Hebrew text of Proverbs 17:21 is richer than a simple English translation. It actually uses two distinct words for 'fool,' highlighting different aspects of what makes a child a source of sorrow.
The Conceited Fool
The first word often describes someone who is self-confident in their folly, stubborn, and resistant to correction. This isn't just simple ignorance; it's an active, often offensive, rejection of wisdom. Imagine raising a child who consistently makes poor choices, disregards advice, and seems to learn nothing from mistakes – their very nature seems set against good sense. This kind of persistent, willful foolishness is a deep ache.
The Dull Fool
The second word points more towards a lack of understanding, a dullness, or even a shameless character, like the biblical Nabal. This fool might not be intentionally malicious, but their sheer lack of wisdom or inability to grasp good counsel leads them down destructive paths. The grief here comes from seeing potential squandered, or a character that seems incapable of grasping truth, leading to painful consequences.
Both types of foolishness, in their own way, rob parents of the joy they naturally anticipate in their children.
Parental joy is profound, but this verse states a father of a fool has no joy. How can this be?
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Proverbs 17:21 presents a stark picture of parental grief. It's not just about disappointment; it's about the complete absence of the joy that is typically associated with children.
Anticipated Joy vs. Realized Sorrow
Bringing a child into the world is often filled with immense hope and anticipation. Parents dream of a child who will grow, thrive, and bring happiness. However, when that child consistently acts foolishly – making destructive choices, rejecting guidance, or living a life contrary to godly principles – that anticipated joy curdles into deep sorrow. The verse suggests this sorrow is so overwhelming it eclipses any other potential joy.
Beyond Simple Disappointment
This isn't merely about a child not living up to expectations. It's about the pain of seeing a life headed for ruin, the constant worry, the heartbreak of wasted potential, and the spiritual anguish when a child turns away from wisdom. The impact is so profound that the father 'hath no joy.' His focus is consumed by the problem, making it difficult to find pleasure in anything else.
Understand the original words
kesil · Hebrew Noun
A term used in Wisdom literature to describe a person who lacks moral sense, ignores God’s instruction, and acts in self-destructive or rebellious ways.
tugeh · Hebrew Noun
A state of deep mental or emotional distress, often associated with grief, regret, or the consequences of unwise living.
This passage directly contrasts the joy a righteous father has in a wise son with the sorrow a foolish son brings, echoing the sentiment of Proverbs 17:21.
Proverbs 15:20Similar to Proverbs 17:21, this verse highlights the deep joy a wise child brings to their parents, contrasting with the sorrow a foolish one causes.
Proverbs 10:1This verse provides a direct contrast, stating that a wise son brings joy to his father, reinforcing the pain and sorrow a foolish son incurs as mentioned in Proverbs 17:21.
1 Samuel 25:25This passage describes Nabal, a man whose name literally means 'fool' and whose foolish and wicked character was a source of great sorrow to his wife Abigail, mirroring the parental sorrow described in Proverbs 17:21.
pulpitProverbs 17:21: "He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy."
Verse 21. - He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow (comp. ver. 25). The words for "fool" in the two clauses are different. Here it is kesil, which implies bold, self-confident folly, the worst form of the vies; in the second hemistich it is nabal, which rather denotes dulness and stupidity, a want of mental power. A conceited, offensive fool causes infinite trouble to his father, bo…
ellicottProverbs 17:21: "He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy."
(21) He that begetteth a fool ( khesîl ) .— See above, on Proverbs 1:32 . The father of a fool (nābhāl).—See above, on Proverbs 17:7.
This verse highlights a subtle, heartbreaking truth: the birth of a child meant for joy can, through their choices, become a source of deep sorrow for parents. The original Hebrew even uses two distinct words for "fool," suggesting that both obstinate defiance and dull senselessness bring a parent no true delight in their offspring. This isn't about a child's intelligence, but their character and how it leads them away from wisdom and right living.
This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings in Proverbs that contrast foolishness with wisdom, often emphasizing the practical consequences of each. It appears in a section dealing with the relationship between parents and children, highlighting the deep emotional impact a child's character has on their father. The verse directly follows discussions about generosity and kindness, and precedes further reflections on speech and relationships.
This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings in Proverbs that contrast foolishness with wisdom, often emphasizing the practical consequences of each. It appears in a section dealing with the relationship between parents and children, highlighting the deep emotional impact a child's character has on their father. The verse directly follows discussions about generosity and kindness, and precedes further reflections on speech and relationships.
"He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy." — This verse highlights a subtle, heartbreaking truth: the birth of a child meant for joy can, through their choices, become a source of deep sorrow for parents. The original Hebrew even uses two disti…
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Last reviewed October 2026