Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
This short but deeply emotional proverb reflects a timeless truth about the pain parents endure when a child chooses the path of folly. It captures not only the sorrow that foolishness brings into a family, but also the specific way it wounds both father and mother differently. The phrase “a foolish son” refers to more than someone who lacks intelligence; it points to a son who has rejected wisdom, discipline, moral responsibility, and reverence for God. He is characterised by careless behaviour, poor decisions, disrespect, irresponsibility, and often, outright rebellion. This kind of person is not simply immature, but willfully foolish, ignoring correction and disregarding the values he was taught.
Such a son is described as “a grief to his father.” A father often sees himself as a guide and protector, one who sets the direction and provides correction and discipline. When his son rejects his guidance and chooses a path of ruin, it brings deep disappointment, emotional pain, and often public shame. The father’s grief is not just about disobedience; it is the sorrow of watching a child squander their potential and lose out on eternity with a loving God.
The second part – “and bitterness to her that bare him” – shifts the focus to the mother. Her connection to the child is deeply personal, tender, and sacrificial. The phrase “that bare him” reminds us of the labour, nurturing, and emotional investment she gave from the very beginning. For such a mother, the son’s foolishness doesn’t just cause sadness; it causes bitterness, a deeper kind of suffering. It’s the heartbreak of seeing her love rejected and her child choose a path of self-destruction. It is a wound that strikes at the core of her identity as a mother.
Together, the proverb shows that foolishness has relational consequences. It doesn’t only harm the fool, it wounds those who love him most. A child who refuses wisdom brings not only personal failure but also emotional devastation to his parents.
Ultimately, the proverb is a call to cherish wisdom, to live responsibly, and to honour the loving guidance of those who have poured their lives into us.
Living the Word 