Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
The Book of Proverbs written over 2,500 years ago still speaks to us today. As a naïve, young man venturing into the business world, this Book provided me the fundamental knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of dealing with first time situations. I lacked practical experience at the time and this Book opened the door to the wisdom of the ages.
Wisdom generally comes from experience. Experience is either acquired by doing something yourself and learning from the process, observing others in similar situations and learning from their successes and mistakes, or studying history and analyzing the causes and effects while transferring the understanding into today’s culture. Overall, the Book of Proverbs has given many an added advantage to lead and shape a life that flourishes.
Sometimes rather than write and express my thoughts on a subject, I like to simply collect the words from the Bible and let them speak directly to you. This time I ran a concordance on the word “wise” from the Book of Proverbs.
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
A Father’s Wise Instruction: Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
The wise lay-up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoices; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.
56. Proverbs 28:11
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27 the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;
28 the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings’ palaces.
In summary, better to be wise than not.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:
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* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
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