John Gill Commentary Proverbs 15:21

"Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going." — Proverbs 15:21 (ASV)

Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom or "that wants a heart" ^F17, a wise and understanding one; by "folly" is meant sin, for all sin is folly; and that is very pleasing and joyous to a wicked he chooses it and delights in it; instead of being ashamed of it, and sorry for it, he glories in it, and makes his boast of it; and not only takes pleasure in committing it himself, but also in those that do it; see (Proverbs 10:23) ;

but a man of understanding walks uprightly; he who has his understanding enlightened by the Spirit of God; who has an understanding given him by the Son of God; who has a spiritual and experimental understanding of the Gospel, and the truths of it: he walks according to the rule of the divine word; he walks as he has Christ for an example, and by faith on him; and after the spirit, and not after the flesh: or "directs himself in walking" ^F18, his goings, as the Vulgate Latin version, according to the above rule, example, and guidance, by the assistance of the spirit and grace of God; otherwise it is not in man who walks of himself to direct his steps, (Jeremiah 10:23) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F17: (bl roxl) "carenti corde", Montanus; "ei qui deficitur", Schultens.
• F18: (tkl rvyy) "diriget seipsum ambulando", Montanus; "diriget ambulare, vel ad ambulandum", Vatablus; "diriget viam suam ad ambulandum", Mercerus, Gejerus.