Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before (Hebrew, in the face of) him that hath understanding - is always before his face as a friend, ready at hand (Gejer) (cf. the phrase, Genesis 19:13). Or, 'appears in his countenance' composed, grave, and modest. The latter, which is supported by the Vulgate, the Septuagint, and the Chaldaic, is the prominent thought, as the parallel second clause shows (cf. Sir 19:29 , 'A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding, by his countenance, when thou meetest him').
But the eyes of a fool (are) in the ends of the earth. The wandering "eyes" indicate the unsettled mind, that But the eyes of a fool (are) in the ends of the earth. The wandering "eyes" indicate the unsettled mind, that seeks wisdom "in the ends of the earth," and "findeth it not" (Proverbs 14:6). As far as attaining wisdom is concerned, his restless eyes show that it is all one as if they were in the ends of the earth. He neglects the "word of faith," which is "nigh" him (Romans 10:8). The face of the man of understanding, on the contrary, shows that wisdom is with him.