Wisdom from Often Forgotten Proverbs

Proverbs is the book of wisdom that is said to be written by King Solomon. We often cite verses from this book of the Bible to prove a point or teach a child. After all, Proverbs 1:8 states, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction” while 1:2 claims that the words are inscribed “that men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of intelligence, may receive raining in wise conduct, in what is right, just and honest.” Thus, these verses are certainly meant to instruct and guide all, but youth in particular.

However, how often do we actually read through the whole of Proverbs? When do we take time to see what wisdom from this part of the Bible could be applied to our own lives?

Wisdom is timeless. Personified as Lady Wisdom, she is said to be “the firstborn of [God’s] ways” who was “beside him as his craftsman” during creation (Proverbs 8:22 and 8:30). Yet, this same wisdom is as relevant to us today as it was to the King Solomon’s subjects. She calls to us, saying in 7:24, “So now, O children, listen to me, be attentive to the words of my mouth!”

Currently, I am taking a class on Proverbs at my university. Learning more about this biblical book has been helpful in practical and spiritual ways. The cultural and literary elements of Proverbs are also intriguing, but much more can be said for the richness of relevant advice it offers for Catholics today.

One of the reasons for Proverbs’ relevance is that it contains practical counsel. Wisdom differs from intelligence. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, intelligence means “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations.” However, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wisdom as “knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life” as well as “knowledge of what is proper or reasonable.”

President Calvin Coolidge described the difference between these two (although he used the term “knowledge” instead of “intelligence”): “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of facts within a comparatively short time, but the ability to form judgments requires the severe discipline of hard work and the tempering heat of experience and maturity.”

Having intelligence is certainly important, but knowing how to live wisely is even better. That is one of the reasons paying attention to the book of Proverbs is so important for Catholics. We should be eager not only to learn from our own experiences but also those of others much older and more prudent than us.

The people of Israel suffered immense losses by turning away from God repeatedly, but also found bountiful years of peace. Both the trials and joys of this nation helped formulate some of this wisdom that God desires us to still use.

So what types of topics are addressed in Proverbs that might be applicable for the modern Christian? As mentioned before, this book is very practical. Issues raised range from marriage to caring for the poor to holding one’s tongue. Need wisdom on some situation or problem in your life? Proverbs probably has a verse that will be of aid.

Certain proverbs are better known than others. For example, Proverbs 3:5 (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not.”) and Proverbs 31:10 (“When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.”) are both fairly well known. Some verses are common sayings that people recite without even knowing the biblical origin: “As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man” (Proverbs 27:17).

Yet, many other fascinating and helpful proverbs are forgotten. Here are some lesser-known verses that we can learn from (and sometimes chuckle because of) as we strive to grow in wisdom.

• 11:24 – “One man is lavish, yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.”
• 13:11 – “Wealth quickly gotten dwindles away, but amassed little by little, it grows.”
• 16:32 – “A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city.”
• 17:12 – “Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!”
• 18:2 – “The fool takes no delight in understand, but rather in displaying what he thinks.”
• 18:14 – “A man’s spirit sustains him in infirmity—but a broken spirit who can bear?”
• 19:2 – “Without knowledge even zeal is not good; and he who acts hastily, blunders.”
• 20:5 – “The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.”
• 20:17 – “The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.”
• 22:13 – “The sluggard says, ‘A lion is outside; in the streets I might be slain.’”
• 25:17 – “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have more than enough of you, and hate you.”
• 26:17 – “Like the man who seizes a passing dog by the ears is he who meddles in a quarrel not his own.”
• 26:18-19 – “Like a crazed archer scattering firebrands and deadly arrows is the man who deceives his neighbor, and then says, ‘I was only joking.’”

These are just a few of the many helpful proverbs that in the Bible. Although all can be useful, one should note that no verse applies to every situation. Part of the wisdom is knowing when to properly utilize each verse. As we delve more deeply into Proverbs, we can allow Lady Wisdom to guide us in what scripture we currently need.