A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may {b} reveal itself.

(b) That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatever comes to mind.

Wesley's Notes

18:2 Understanding - In getting sound and saving, knowledge. The discovery - In uttering that folly and wickedness which is in his heart.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. that his heart . itself-that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:1 If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves. 2. Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with. 3. As soon as sin entered, shame followed.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 2

A fool may pretend to understanding, and to seek and intermeddle with the means of it, but, 1. He has no true delight in it; it is only to please his friends or save his credit; he does not love his book, nor his business, nor his Bible, nor his prayers; he would rather be playing the fool with his sports. Those who take no pleasure in learning or religion will make nothing to purpose of either. No progress is made in them if they are a task and a drudgery. 2. He has no good design in it, only that his heart may discover itself, that he may have something to make a show with, something wherewith to varnish his folly, that that may pass off the better, because he loves to hear himself talk.