Business Integrity and Deception in Proverbs 20:14
Proverbs 20:14 states, "It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts" (NIV). This proverb describes a common human tendency in commercial transactions: a buyer disparages an item during negotiation to secure a lower price, only to later boast about their shrewd acquisition [1].
This verse highlights a form of deception in business dealings. The buyer intentionally devalues the merchandise to the seller, creating a false impression of its worth. Once the purchase is made, and often at a reduced price, the buyer reveals their true satisfaction by boasting about the deal [1]. This practice is contrasted with the ideal of honest weights and measures, which is a recurring theme in Proverbs (e.g., Proverbs 20:10, which condemns "divers weights" and "divers measures" as an abomination to the Lord) [3]. Such deceit in commerce is considered a form of fraud [2].
The Babylonian Talmud discusses this proverb in the context of commercial exploitation, noting that it is the "usual manner of sellers to praise their merchandise, while buyers disparage it" [7]. However, the Talmud clarifies that despite this common behavior, a buyer can still renege on a sale if the item genuinely proves to be faulty, and a seller can change their mind if the item was genuinely undervalued [7]. This suggests that while the proverb describes a common human failing, it does not endorse it as ethical business practice.
The passage functions as a warning to sellers to "see past a buyer’s words to avoid being cheated" [4]. It underscores the need for discernment in transactions, as appearances and spoken words may not reflect true intentions or value. The broader context of Proverbs frequently addresses themes of integrity, justice, and the dangers of dishonesty, whether through outright theft, fraud, or subtle deception [2, 5]. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, notes that "usury and deceit" are not always hidden but can "rage in public," indicating the pervasive nature of such practices [6].
Sources
- Proverbs ““It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. -- Proverbs 20:14”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Theft — Is an abomination -- Jer 7:9,10. Forbidden -- Ex 20:15; Mr 10:19; Ro 13:9. From the poor specially forbidden -- Pr 22:2. Includes fraud in general -- Le 19:13. Includes fraud concerning wages -- Le 19:13; Mal 3:5; Jas 5:4. Proceeds from the heart -- Mt 15:19. Defiles a man -- Mt 15:20. The wicked Addicted to. -- Ps 119:61. Store up the fruits of. -- Am 3:10. Lie in wait to commit. -- Ho 6:9. Commit, under shelter of the night. -- Job 24:14; Ob 1:5. Consent to show who commit. -- Ps 50:18. Associate with those who commit. -- Isa 1:23. May, for a season, prospe”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:10: See here, 1. The various arts of deceiving that men have, all which evils the love of money is the root of. In paying and receiving money, which was then commonly done by the scale, they had divers weights, an under-weight for what they paid and an over-weight for what they received; in delivering out and taking in goods they had divers measures, a scanty measure to sell by and a large measure to buy by. This was done wrong with plot and contrivance, and under colour of doing right. Under these is included all manner of fraud and deceit in commerce and trade. 2”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 20:14: 20:14 Sellers must see past a buyer’s words to avoid being cheated.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 28:20: maketh haste . . . rich--implying deceit or fraud (Pro 20:21), and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LV.[5] (part 12): He on the contrary, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour," in your pride, and ye shall rest in My humility. "Learn of Me," He saith, "for meek I am and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls."[12] For whence do they labour, but because they are not meek and humble in 214 heart? God humble was made, let man blush to be proud. 13. "There hath not failed from the streets thereof usury and deceit" (ver. 11). Usury and deceit are not hidden at least, because they are evil things, but in public they rage. For he th”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 84a.4: It is necessary to teach this, as it might enter your mind to say that this is not a case of exploitation because it is written: “It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts” (Proverbs 20:14). In other words, it is the usual manner of sellers to praise their merchandise, while buyers disparage it. Therefore, the mishna teaches that the buyer can renege on the sale if the item was found to be bad, and the seller can change his mind if it was found to be good.”