Proverbs on Attaining 'Wisdom'

For many years, I avoided reading the Book of Proverbs in the Bible for some reason. But one day, while watching my kids at basketball practice, I picked up my Bible and opened it to Proverbs and began reading. Wow! Many years have since passed and I still find this to be one of the most interesting and instructive books everyone should read and carefully study.

The Book of Proverbs raises questions of values, moral behaviour, the meaning of human life, and right conduct. The repeated theme is that submission to the will of God is the beginning of attaining wisdom. Wisdom involves the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. There appears to be consensus that wisdom is associated with attributes such as compassion, benevolence, and ethical behaviour.

Check out the following selected excerpts from the Book of Proverbs.

The wise and their rewards

3:35     The wise inherit honor, but fools He holds up to shame.

9:12     If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;

24:5     A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;

The wise and instruction

9:8       Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9:9       Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

13:14   The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Wise having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion. characterized by or showing such power; judicious or prudent: possessed of or characterized by scholarly knowledge or learning; learned;

The wise and their parents

10:1     A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

13:1     A wise son/daughter heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

15:20   A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

10:5     He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

The wise and their speech

10:19   When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

12:18   Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

14:3     A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

15:7     The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

16:23   A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

29:11   A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

The wise versus fools

10:14   Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

12:15   The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

13:20   He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

14:1     The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

14:16   A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

21:20   In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

The wise and their leaders

10:8     The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

14:35   A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

16:14   A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.

20:26   A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

29:8     Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

Whether you are a religious person or not, I highly recommend you take the time to read the Book of Proverbs.