Pro 12:16 | KingComments | STEP | The fool is so set up that he trusts in himself alone ( ). He determines his own way which is then completely right in his own eyes. He follows his own way and will not listen to advice. “The way of a fool” is characterized by headlong actions. He pursues those actions despite good advice not to do it. Even if he thought long and hard about a particular path and weighed all the arguments for and against it, it is still a headlong decision, because he does not tolerate any advice. He has a high opinion of himself and his mind. That is the essence of foolishness. God plays no role for him because He does not even exist for him ( ). People show their maturity or immaturity by how they respond to counsel. A reasonable thinking person, that is, a wise person, will recognize and accept good counsel, even if he himself often gives counsel to others. Council is an application of wisdom and knowledge to a specific situation based on keen observation or thoughtful opinion that includes the opinions of others. One of the names of the Lord Jesus is “Counselor” ( ). It is especially important to listen to His counsel. He gives that counsel in His Word. We also do well to consult or listen to God-fearing people when they give us unsolicited counsel. David listened to Abigail’s good counsel and refrained from killing Nabal when he was on his way to him ( ). The fool makes himself known as foolish by his anger, which becomes “known at once”, that is, his anger ignites immediately ( ; cf. ). He is always hot-tempered and convinced of his own rightness. When he is contradicted, he reacts as if stung by a wasp. He has a short fuse and explodes immediately. He lacks reflection and thoughtfulness. As a result, his shame becomes public. An outburst of anger garners not admiration, but contempt. Saul’s moments of rage were a disgrace to him. He who is prudent controls himself and thereby covers shame; he does not expose himself to it. He is able to deal with criticism without reacting instinctively and irrationally. It is not so much that the prudent man suppresses his anger or feelings, but that he deals with them thoughtfully and keeps them to himself. He knows himself and knows that he can make a mistake. He will, if contradicted, reconsider the matter to himself and not react impulsively. In this we see self-control, a fruit of the Spirit ( ).

‏ Proverbs 12:16

The Wise and the Prudent and the Fool

The fool is so set up that he trusts in himself alone (Pro 12:15). He determines his own way which is then completely right in his own eyes. He follows his own way and will not listen to advice. “The way of a fool” is characterized by headlong actions. He pursues those actions despite good advice not to do it. Even if he thought long and hard about a particular path and weighed all the arguments for and against it, it is still a headlong decision, because he does not tolerate any advice. He has a high opinion of himself and his mind. That is the essence of foolishness. God plays no role for him because He does not even exist for him (Psa 14:1).

People show their maturity or immaturity by how they respond to counsel. A reasonable thinking person, that is, a wise person, will recognize and accept good counsel, even if he himself often gives counsel to others. Council is an application of wisdom and knowledge to a specific situation based on keen observation or thoughtful opinion that includes the opinions of others.

One of the names of the Lord Jesus is “Counselor” (Isa 9:5). It is especially important to listen to His counsel. He gives that counsel in His Word. We also do well to consult or listen to God-fearing people when they give us unsolicited counsel. David listened to Abigail’s good counsel and refrained from killing Nabal when he was on his way to him (1Sam 25:32-35).

The fool makes himself known as foolish by his anger, which becomes “known at once”, that is, his anger ignites immediately (Pro 12:16; cf. Ecc 7:9). He is always hot-tempered and convinced of his own rightness. When he is contradicted, he reacts as if stung by a wasp. He has a short fuse and explodes immediately. He lacks reflection and thoughtfulness. As a result, his shame becomes public. An outburst of anger garners not admiration, but contempt. Saul’s moments of rage were a disgrace to him.

He who is prudent controls himself and thereby covers shame; he does not expose himself to it. He is able to deal with criticism without reacting instinctively and irrationally. It is not so much that the prudent man suppresses his anger or feelings, but that he deals with them thoughtfully and keeps them to himself. He knows himself and knows that he can make a mistake. He will, if contradicted, reconsider the matter to himself and not react impulsively. In this we see self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).