The Sage vs. the Fool: Character Traits of the Unwise

The Sage vs. the Fool: Character Traits of the Unwise.

The Sage: A person known for wisdom, understanding and discernment; for developing the practical art of living skillfully; for growing in moral intelligence; for being able to practice the truth in daily life; for expressing astute insight and shrewd street smarts; for applying knowledge to make thoughtful decisions and healthy choices; for knowing the difference between wise and foolish, right and wrong, beautiful and ugly, good and evil, true and false; for effectively demonstrating a practical spirituality; for choosing to live into Wisdom itself, the Person of Jesus the Anointed One.

The book of Proverbs is centered on the makings of wisdom and foolishness, about being wise and being unwise. Proverbs poses the following qualities as being enemies of wisdom, the common foes of wisdom. The following traits make it difficult for a person to acquire wisdom. And they demonstrate what it looks like when a person’s character is lacking wisdom. These traits reveal unwisdom at its worst.

Pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (16:18).

“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” (29:23).

Stubbornness: “Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.” (15:5).

“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself, but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” (15:32).

Laziness: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (13:4).

“A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” (18:9).

Injustice: “Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.” (28:5).

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (31:8-9).

Ignorance: “It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.” (17:16).

“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” (9:9).

Violence:  “Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.” (3:31,32).

“Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.” (24:1,2).

Dishonesty: “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.” (12:19).

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” (12:22).

Stinginess: “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.” (11:24).

“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” (21:13).

Foolishness: “The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (14:16).

“Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” (14:18).

Anger: “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” (12:16).

“Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” (22:24,25).

Gullible: “The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.” (10:21).

“Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.” (14:15).

Quarrelsome: “Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” (17:14).

“Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes out too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.” (22:10).

Wicked: “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.” (10:25).

Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.” (12:3).

Scornful: “Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.”  (NIV); “Do not waste words on a fool, who will not appreciate the shrewdness of your remarks.”  (NJB); “Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they will only poke fun at your words. ” (MSG). “A rebellious fool will despise your wise advice, so don’t even waste your time – Save your breath!” (TPT). (23:9).

Stiff-Necked: “He who stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.” (NLT); “For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there’ll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it’ll be too late to help them.” (Message); “One oft-reproved may become stiff-necked, but he will be suddenly broken beyond repair.” (Tanakh). (29:1).

Antagonistic: “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor, only fools insist on quarreling.” (NLT); “It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.” (Message); “A person of honor will put an argument to rest. Only the stupid want to pick a fight.” (TPT); “It is honorable for a man to desist from strife, but every fool becomes embroiled.” (Tanakh); “… any fool can start a quarrel.” (NKJ). (20:3).

Opinionated: “Fools have no interest in understanding, they only want to air their own opinions. Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.”  (NLT); “Senseless people find no pleasure in acquiring true wisdom, for all they want to do is impress you with what they know. Listen before you speak, for to speak before you’ve heard the facts will bring humiliation.” (TPT); “Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.” (Message); “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only revealing his own mind. He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” (NASB). (18:2, 13).

Lost: “The Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.” (NLT); “For God sees everything you do and his eyes are wide open as He observes every single habit you have. Beware that your sins don’t overtake you, and the scars of your own conscience become the ropes that tie you up. Those who choose wickedness die for lack of self-control, for their foolish ways lead them astray, carrying them away as hostages.”  (TPT). (5:21-23).