Proverbs by theme

Wisdom

The wise and the fool, and whether you can be taught.

• 1:20-33Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”
• 2:1-5My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.
• 2:9-11Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,
• 3:13-18Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
• 3:21-26My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
• 3:35The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
• 4:1-13Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
• 4:23Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
• 4:25-27Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
• 7:1-5My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
• 8:1-14Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men. O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
• 8:32-36Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
• 9:1-9Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
• 9:11-12For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
• 10:7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
• 10:8A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
• 10:14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.
• 10:17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.
• 10:23The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
• 11:17A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
• 11:19Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
• 11:22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
• 11:23The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
• 11:27He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
• 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
• 12:1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
• 12:8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
• 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
• 12:28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
• 13:9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
• 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
• 13:13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
• 13:14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
• 13:15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
• 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
• 13:18Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
• 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
• 14:7Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
• 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
• 14:9Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
• 14:12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
• 14:13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
• 14:14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
• 14:15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
• 14:16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
• 14:18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
• 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
• 15:5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
• 15:10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
• 15:12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
• 15:13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
• 15:14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• 15:15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
• 15:21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
• 15:22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
• 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
• 15:31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
• 15:32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
• 16:16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
• 16:17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
• 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
• 16:25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
• 16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
• 17:10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
• 17:12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
• 17:16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
• 17:22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
• 17:24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
• 18:2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
• 18:3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
• 18:13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
• 18:14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
• 18:15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
• 19:2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
• 19:8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
• 19:10Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
• 19:16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
• 19:20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
• 19:25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
• 19:27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
• 19:29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
• 20:5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
• 20:11Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.
• 20:15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
• 20:18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
• 20:29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
• 20:30Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
• 21:8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
• 21:10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
• 21:11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
• 21:16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
• 21:20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
• 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
• 21:29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
• 22:3The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
• 22:17-21Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge— for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
• 23:9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
• 23:12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
• 23:19Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.
• 24:3-4By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.
• 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
• 24:6Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.
• 24:7Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.
• 24:9A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.
• 24:10If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!
• 24:13-14Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.
• 26:1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
• 26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
• 26:4-5Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
• 26:6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
• 26:7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
• 26:8Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
• 26:9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
• 26:10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
• 26:11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
• 27:3A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
• 27:12The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
• 27:19As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
• 27:22Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
• 28:18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
• 29:1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
• 29:9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
• 30:24-28Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise: The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.

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