Proverbs 12: 16 – Stop and THINK!

 I’ve chosen to title this post, “Stop and THINK!”  This verse seems to say that doing that, is the difference between being called a “fool” or being someone who is “prudent.”

Proverbs 12: 16 (NKJV)
       ¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is known at once,
      But a prudent man covers shame. 

First, lets look at the definitions of the main words in this verse.  I used the online Free Dictionary by Farlex. 

fool:  1. One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.  2. One who acts unwisely on a given occasion

wrath:  1. angry, violent, or stern indignation  2. Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger

prudent: 1. discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect 2. practical and careful in providing for the future  3. exercising good judgment or common sense

covers: 1. a. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.  

shame:  1. a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of having done something dishonorable, unworthy, degrading, etc.2. an occasion for regret, disappointment, etc.

The first part of this verse says that “A fool’s wrath is known at once.”  As we see from the definitions, a “fool” is someone who is deficient in judgment and/or one who acts unwisely on a given occasion.  In this case, the occasion is one of ANGER, and can even be some kind of vengeance because of that anger.

An example of this would be the person who can’t control their temper and strikes out with a fist or something at the person they are mad at… or even at someone that is “in their way” during a fit of anger at something or someone else.  They are fools because they act before thinking, being carried away by their feelings instead of controlling them.  God calls these people, “fools!”

The second part of the verse contrasts the “fool” with the “prudent man.”  A prudent man is a person who is discreet or cautious in managing his activities.  This person exercises good judgment and common sense and is careful to provide for the future.  He doesn’t jump into things with “fists ‘a flailin’” but takes a step back and thinks about the next step and what it could mean for his future.

One of the definitions of “cover” is to protect or shield from harm, loss or danger, and this is the one that seemed to me to be the closest to the meaning in this verse in its context.  IF a person steps back and thinks things through, with an eye to the future, then they will want to protect or shield themselves, and/or those they love, from the loss or danger that comes with doing something dishonorable, unworthy or degrading.  

 They don’t want to have to look back on their actions with regret and disappointment in themselves and in what they have done.   They don’t want to have to say, “I’m sorry,” but want to be able to stand up as having acted honorably, so that they can be proud of themselves, and, more importantly, so that those they love, like God or their families, can be proud of them.

Lord, I ask that when trying situations come into my life, that I will STOP and THINK before I act or say something that I will regret later on.  Please give me wisdom in these situations.  Amen.

Proverbs 12: 15 Seek Wise Counsel…

This verse is another contrast between those that God sees as being foolish and the ones He sees as being wise.

Proverbs 12: 15 (NKJV)

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Here are the definitions of the main words in these verses: 

the way: the path

fool: One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding; opposite of wise

right: Most favorable, desirable, or convenient

heeds: pays attention to; listens to and considers

counsel: Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person

wise: 1. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment 2. prudent; sensible

Using these definitions, we see that people who are deficient in judgment and understanding choose paths that THEY feel is most favorable or convenient for them. They base their path in life on their feelings instead of sound judgment.

In contrast, the person who shows wisdom or discernment and is sensible, will listen to and pay attention to advice or guidance from a knowledgeable person.

As we saw in the first several chapters of Proverbs, God illustrated that the wisdom that comes from Him and studying His Word is the true wisdom available in this world. Since He created this world, He knows what will help us get through our life in it, in ways where He can lead and bless us.

We must be very careful to base the way we act and the things we do in this life, on what God says and not on what we “feel like doing” from one minute to the next. 

Proverbs 3:1-12 (N I V)

Benefits of Wisdom 

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

4 Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father, the son he delights in.

Proverbs 12: 11 Work and Eat…

This verse is the essence of the story of the grasshopper and the ant. The ant worked HARD all summer while the grasshopper wiled away the hours, playing and having fun, but when the winter came, the ant had plenty of provisions laid up for his family, while the grasshopper died out in the cold.

Proverbs 12: 11 (NKJV)

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

tills: To prepare (land) for the raising of crops, as by plowing and harrowing; cultivate

satisfied: Filled with satisfaction; content

bread: 1. a. Food in general, regarded as necessary for sustaining life b. Something that nourishes; sustenance 3. Means of support; livelihood

frivolous: 1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial 2. Inappropriately silly

frivolity: 1. The quality or condition of being frivolous. 2. A frivolous act or thing.

devoid: Completely lacking; destitute or empty

understanding: 1. Characterized by or having comprehension, good sense, intelligence or discernment. 2. Compassionate; sympathetic

Using the definitions of the main words from today’s verse, we see that the person who works by doing the job that God has given him to bring him his “Daily Bread,” will be sustained and content, while the person who doesn’t pay attention and just goes around being silly instead of working, doesn’t show ANY intelligence or good sense.

I found some of the other translations of this verse to be helpful in understanding it as well:

The New American Standard Bible puts it this way:

11. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

The New International Version says: 11. He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

And last, but not least, “The Message” version says: 11. The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

Proverbs 11: 29 Heir or Servant

Proverbs 11: 29 (NKJV)

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,

And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

heir: 1. A person who inherits or is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another. 2. A person who succeeds or is in line to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office. 3. One who receives or is expected to receive a heritage, as of ideas, from a predecessor.

v. troubles: 1. To agitate; stir up. 2. To afflict with pain or discomfort. 3. To cause emotional strain or anxiety to; worry or distress. 4. To inconvenience; bother

servant: 1. One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another


The first part of today’s verse talks about a person who agitates, or stirs up problems in their own home. This type of person brings worry, distress and emotional strain to all those around them. A person of this type can cause so much trouble that they could be “kicked out” or “disinherited” from the family, thus inheriting nothing but “wind/air” in the long run.

The second part of the verse goes on to say that a person that is foolish like this, will end up serving or owing others who are “wise of heart.” In past verses, we have seen that, in the Bible, God considers a person to be “wise of heart” when they follow His leading and teachings in their lives.

Several of the “Fruits of the Spirit,” which grow in those that DO choose to follow God and become born again so that His Spirit lives within them, are attributes that would be the opposite of “stirring up troubles,” but instead, will bring peace and love into the family.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Proverbs 10 : 13 & 14 Wise or Foolish Lips...

Today’s verses give us some more attributes of those that are wise, and those that are foolish.

Proverbs 10: 13 & 14 (NKJV)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,

But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

14 Wise people store up knowledge,

But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Both of our verses today start out speaking about wisdom. Verse 13 tells us that a person that is wise and understanding, speaks wise words… wisdom is “found” on his lips, and verse 14 goes on to tell us that a wise person will “store up knowledge.” They don’t just “hear” it, they seek after it and put it into their heads, hearts and actions, so that they will remember it.

The second part of both of these verses show contrasts to the first parts. Verse 13 contrasts those who are “devoid of understanding” to those that “have understanding.” “A rod is for the back…” speaks of people who are caught and punished for doing foolish, ungodly things. All of us do these types of things at different times of our lives… especially when we are young. Hopefully these incidences become less frequent as we grow in knowledge and understanding of God and His ways.

God also tells us that “those He loves, He chastens…” when they need it, and there are several places in the Bible that speak about this principle. Just as we give our children the choices to choose between following our rules and not following them, if they will eventually NOT be safe if they don’t follow, then we will, if we are wise parents, discipline them so that they will stay on “safe paths.” God does the same for us, because He loves us even MORE than we love our own children.

The first part of verse 13, which as we saw, speaks of having wisdom on his lips, contrasts with the last part of verse 14 which tells us that people that speak foolishness are near destruction. As we have studied before, our words flow from what is in our hearts, and if they are full of ungodly things (The fool says, in his heart, there is NO God…) then each time the “foolishness” flows, it draws us closer to destruction because it draws us AWAY from God.

Proverbs 10 : 10 & 11 Speak Righteously

Today, we will look at two verses that have to do with the proper use of our mouth, or the words we speak.




Proverbs 10: 10 & 11 (NKJV)

10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

The first part of verse 10 speaks to us about those that “wink with the eye.” This is often a technique that people use to show that what they are speaking of at the time, is NOT what is really in their hearts. It tends to denote that there is a “lie” in their words, and this will always cause trouble sooner or later.

The second part of this verse again uses the words “a prating fool will fall,” and as we saw when this phrase was used in verse 8 of this chapter, a couple of studies ago, this part of the verse tells us that foolish people speak of only empty, foolish or trivial things that help no one. These people will ultimately fail or “fall.”

The first part of verse 11 points out that those that speak “righteous” words… words that are morally upright, and without sin, are people that bring “life” to others. Anytime we speak Godly wisdom, or the “Word,” we are passing around the “living water” spoken of by Jesus, who is known as “The Word.” John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The second part of Proverbs 10:6 is the same as the second part of verse 11. As we saw then, the violence spoken of through a person’s lips will eventually overwhelm them. These people will follow the lead of their lips, because out of the hearts of men, come their words, and death is the eventual result of a violent, sinful life.

Proverbs 10: 8 The Wise Listen...

Today’s verse contrasts another side of wisdom compared to foolishness.


Proverbs 10: 8 (NKJV)


8 The wise in heart will receive commands,

But a prating fool will fall.


A couple of the definitions of “command” is 1. an authoritative instruction that something must be done 2. the authority to command. People who are wise, and have made God’s wisdom a part of their hearts and minds, will realize that His is the ultimate authority in this life, and in the afterlife. They will know that He only asks things of them that will bring good things their way because He loves them. They CHOSE to follow the authoritative instructions of what HE says NEEDS to be done, because they trust in His ultimate love for them.

The definition of “prating” or to “prate” is to: To talk idly and at length; chatter. Speak empty, foolish, or trivial talk; idle chatter. I think women tend to call this "gossip" and men tend to call it "shooting the bull..." As we saw in the preceding paragraph, the wise person has made God’s wisdom a part of their lives and speak to His ways. This part of the verse tells us that foolish people (those that refuse to acknowledge God or His authority in their lives) speak of only empty, foolish or trivial things that help no one. These people will ultimately fail or “fall.”

Proverbs 10: 4 & 5

Both verses 4 & 5 contrast laziness and diligence. Here are our verses:

Proverbs 10: 4 & 5 (NKJV)

4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

The online dictionary defines “slack” as: Verb 1. to neglect one's duty or work in a lazy manner and some synonyms are: idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.

This website also defines “diligent” as the exact opposite: Adjective 1. careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties 2. quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

With these definitions, we can see that someone who is idle, careless and/or inefficient, and that neglects their work by doing it in a lazy manner WILL become poor for they will lose their jobs very quickly. The workers who are very careful to take care of all the details in their tasks or duties would quickly become valuable to their boss, and be promoted.

Verse 5 speaks of those who “gather” in the season for gathering in a harvest (summer). When they do the work, when it needs to be done, then they are being wise, while those that are lazy and don’t take advantage of the “window” when the harvest is ready, will end up with little or nothing to show and this will bring shame to them.