A-Z: Common sayings from the Bible: Spare the rod and spoil the child

Usage

Undisciplined children are spoilt.

Definition

Loving discipline encourages appropriate behaviour. This is a biblical principle that underlies the dealings of God with his people.

Bible References

Proverbs 13:24

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. ²From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. ³Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. ⁴The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. ⁵The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. ⁶Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. ⁷One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. ⁸The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. ¹⁰By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. ¹¹Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. ¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. ¹³Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. ¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. ¹⁶In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. ¹⁸Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. ¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. ²⁰Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. ²¹Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. ²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous. ²³The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. ²⁴Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. ²⁵The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

¹A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. ²A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. ³He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. ⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. ⁵A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. ⁶Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. ⁷There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. ⁸The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. ⁹The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. ¹⁰Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. ¹¹Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. ¹²Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. ¹³Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. ¹⁴The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ¹⁵Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. ¹⁶Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. ¹⁷A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. ¹⁸Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. ¹⁹The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. ²⁰He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. ²¹Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. ²²A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. ²³Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. ²⁴He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. ²⁵The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

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