Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:14

by David Chadwick

“‘Bad, bad,’ says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.”

Proverbs 20:14

Today’s proverb addresses a financial exchange. A buyer of certain goods desires the purchase, but when bargaining for it, he derides the purchase and says that it is worth very little to drive the price down.

Let’s read it again together. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts” (Proverbs 20:14).

The buyer starts off ridiculing the purchase. He scoffs at the cost and implies it is not valuable. After the purchase, however, the buyer’s words change. He begins to boast about its value and brag to others about how he fooled the buyer and stole the deal.

Subtly threaded through this verse is an insinuation of deception and hypocrisy. This buyer seemingly is handling his deal in a deceptive way and acting one way to the seller’s face and another way behind his back. But what is interesting to me is that this proverb doesn’t condemn the behavior; it just notes that it happens, often as part of business endeavors.

But the warning is clear: Beware of people’s words—especially when they want something you have. They may lie. They may twist your words. They may say one thing to your face and another behind your back.

An old 1970’s song by a band called The O’Jays says it well in their song “Back Stabbers.” Take a look at these lyrics: “They smilin’ in your face; all the time they want to take your place, the back stabbers.” This perfectly explains the people who smile to your face to get what they want and then stab you in the back.

What does all of this mean for us? How do we take the truths of today’s proverb and apply them to our lives?

We should seek to be people of integrity who are the same publicly and privately. We must be honest in our dealings and seek transparency. We should also make sure we carefully examine everyone’s words to explore true motives, which will train us to make wise decisions.