Proverbs 20:5 (BSB)

The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

From Proverbs 20. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 20:5

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 20:5: A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them, 1. To get the knowledge of them. Though men's counsels and designs are ever so carefully concealed by them, so that they are as deep water which one cannot fathom, yet there are those who by sly insinuations, and questions that seem foreign...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 20:5: Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,.... Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 20:5: Counsel . . . water--that is, deeply hidden (Pro 18:4; Psa 13:2). The wise can discern well.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 20:5: Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. (c) It is hard to find out: for it is as deep waters, whose bottom cannot be found: yet the wise man will know a man either by his words or manners.