Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
– Proverbs 13:16

The prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The fool layeth open, or displays his folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
– Proverbs 12:23

The word for concealeth means to hide or cover. A couple of senses are covered here. The wise man stores up knowledge (Proverbs 10:14), and he measures out his words (Proverbs 10:19; 11:13; 15:2). The main thought of the proverb is restraint or control over the tongue exercised by the prudent. The contrast comes in the fool proclaiming, or crying out, foolishness. Talkativeness is a mark of a fool (Proverbs 15:2). Not only does a fool pour out foolishness, but he also proves himself to be a fool by doing so (Proverbs 13:16; Ecclesiastes 10:3).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 12:16

A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
– Proverbs 12:16

The word for presently means in a day, or we might say immediately. The second phrase shows the proverb is considering reactions to shame, or being crossed in some way. The fool has no self-control and reacts immediately with anger. He must make his displeasure known (Proverbs 29:11). The word for prudent means shrewd and it can be used negatively or positively. The word carries the idea of making plans. The man described in the second phrase is one who thinks things through and determines the best course of action. He doesn’t react in the heat of anger like the fool. He weighs carefully before he speaks or acts (Proverbs 14:8, 15). The word for covereth means to conceal or hide. A good way for us to look at it would be in terms of overlooking. A prudent man overlooks an insult without spouting off about it.

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
– Proverbs 12:15

The fool in Proverbs isn’t necessarily unintelligent but rather he refuses instruction and correction. In fact, he despises it (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5). Solomon uses another description that parallels this proverb when he speaks of not being “wise in thine own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). The fool stubbornly clings to his own thoughts and ways. If he is willing to receive any counsel, it will only be that he already agrees with. The word for hearkeneth means to hear intelligently. This is exactly what Solomon admonished his son to do and thus be wise. The only path presented to acquiring wisdom is to receive correction and instruction (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 19:20).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 11:29

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
– Proverbs 11:29

This proverb is not antithetical, rather the two beats are complementary. To trouble is to stir up or unsettle, like the stirring of a liquid that keeps the solids from settling to the bottom. Elsewhere, Solomon identifies the greedy man as a troubler of his own house (Proverbs 15:27). The exact trouble here is not mentioned, so we take it as various forms of mismanagement of the household. To inherit here is to acquire or gain as a possession. The wind represents that that cannot be possessed (Ecclesiastes 5:16). The second line gives the destiny of such a fool. He will end up serving one who is a wiser manager.

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 10:23

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
– Proverbs 10:23

The word for sport means laughter and points to enjoyment or pleasure. The word for mischief literally means a plan and the context dictates whether it is positive or negative. A fool finds delight in bringing off some evil plan. He is thoroughly pleased when his plans meet with success (Proverbs 2:14; 15:21). By contrast, the man who has understanding does not delight in making and prosecuting evil plans. He finds no joy in the follies and downfalls of others, but delights in wisdom. He recognizes the supreme value of wisdom so that he will seek and sacrifice to attain it (Proverbs 2:3-4; 23:23).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
– Proverbs 10:21

The righteous receive instruction and grow in wisdom. Because they have a store of wisdom, they also speak and give out wisdom (Proverbs 12:18; 15:4). The emphasis is usually placed on the life-giving nature of their instruction. Here it speaks of the abundance they have to give to others. The word for feed indicates to tend a flock or put them to pasture. The word used for fool here speaks of one who despises wisdom, mocks, and is quarrelsome. He stubbornly refuses wise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 12:15). Because they have no store of wisdom, they cannot feed others as the righteous do and they starve themselves.

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 10:19

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
– Proverbs 10:19

Verses 19-21 deal with words, or our speech. This is one of the foremost themes throughout Proverbs. Wisdom affects what we say, the way we say it, when we say it, and how much we say. Kidner observed that three of the seven abominations in 6:16-19 have to do with sins with words. Here Solomon addresses the quantity of our words. Multitude means abundance. Elsewhere, Solomon marks a fool by sheer quantity of words (Ecclesiastes 5:3; 10:14). Words aplenty means sins aplenty. The wise refraineth, or withholds and restrains, their words. Seldom does our error lie in saying too little (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 17:27-28). Real wisdom discerns “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

Proverbs 10:18

He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
– Proverbs 10:18

Hatred can be hidden by flattery, inappropriate silence, or outright lies (Proverbs 26:24-25). Uttering a slander gives vent to the hatred rather than hiding it. Both are damaging and indicative of a fool (Proverbs 16:28).

Listen to the Proverbs sermon series

« Previous PageNext Page »