# Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?

> No. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is not a Bible verse. It is a misquote of Proverbs 13:24.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/spare-the-rod-spoil-the-child
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.

A misquote of Proverbs 13:24. Origin: Samuel Butler’s 17th-century poem Hudibras.

## The verse it misquotes

> Whoever holds back his rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is careful to discipline him.
>
> — [Proverbs 13:24](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/13#24) (Lumin Translation)

## What the Bible says instead

> Whoever holds back his rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is careful to discipline him.
>
> — [Proverbs 13:24](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/13#24) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?

No. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is not a Bible verse. It is a misquote of Proverbs 13:24. The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.

### Where does “Spare the rod, spoil the child” come from?

Samuel Butler’s 17th-century poem Hudibras.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Proverbs 13:24. The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.

## More

- [Is “Moderation in all things” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/moderation-in-all-things.md)
- [Is “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/better-to-stay-silent-and-be-thought-a-fool.md)
- [Is “Time heals all wounds” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/time-heals-all-wounds.md)
- [Is “Aliens” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/aliens.md)
- [Is “Demon” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/demon.md)
- [Is “Hallelujah” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/hallelujah.md)
- [Is “Rainbow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/rainbow.md)
- [Is “Tithe” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/tithe.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)