Pro 14:16 | NETfull | STEP | A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.

Proverbs 14:16

16 A wise person is cautious ^{▼▼ Heb “fears.” Since the holy name (Yahweh, translated “the Lord”) is not used, it probably does not here mean fear of the Lord, but of the consequences of actions.} and turns from evil,
but a fool throws off restraint ^{▼▼ The Hitpael of עָבַר (’avar, “to pass over”) means “to pass over the bounds of propriety; to act insolently” (BDB 720 s.v.; cf. ASV “beareth himself insolently”).} and is overconfident. ^{▼▼ The verb בָּטַח here denotes self-assurance or overconfidence. Fools are not cautious and do not fear the consequences of their actions.}