The way of a fool is {g} right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise.

(g) He stands in his own conceit, and condemns all others in respect to himself.

Wesley's Notes

12:15 Hearkeneth - That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. The way . eyes-The fool is self-conceited (compare Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:14. When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being. 15. A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 15

See here, 1. What it is that keeps a fool from being wise: His way is right in his own eyes; he thinks he is in the right in every thing he does, and therefore asks no advice, because he does not apprehend he needs it; he is confident he knows the way, and cannot miss it, and therefore never enquires the way. The rule he goes by is to do that which is right in his own eyes, to walk in the way of his heart. Quicquid libet, licet-He makes his will his law. He is a fool that is governed by his eye, and not by his conscience. 2. What it is that keeps a wise man from being a fool; he is willing to be advised, desires to have counsel given him, and hearkens to counsel, being diffident of his own judgment and having a value for the direction of those that are wise and good. He is wise (it is a sign he is so, and he is likely to continue so) whose ear is always open to good advice.