“He who gets wisdom loves himself” is literally “He who gets heart loves his own soul.” As in 15.32, “heart” is the center of thought or intelligence and is used to represent wisdom or knowledge. “Loves himself” is not to be taken as self-love or self-centeredness. The expression means “he has regard or respect for himself.” In other words he is taking care of his own best interests, doing himself a good deed. See Good News Translation “Do yourself a favor.” Scott says “He who develops his mind is his own best friend.”

“He who keeps understanding will prosper”: “Keeps understanding” is used in a similar expression in 5.2 and 7.1-2 and means here “to learn good sense.” “Prosper”, which is literally “finds good,” was used in 16.20 and means to “be successful,” to “end up well,” or to “be happy.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates this saying “He who learns and practices what he learns respects himself and prospers.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .