“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
Proverbs 18
but only in expressing personal opinion.”
Sometimes I wonder if Solomon had the power to look 3,000 years into the future and view today’s society. We often hear “I’m entitled to my opinion” but never “I’m in need of understanding.”
But, no, obviously this condition of mindlessly spouting off unfounded opinion is as old as human civilization. Maybe older.
What do we admire about some people?
Is it not that they have deep understanding and yet they do not metaphorically bludgeon us with it.
Wise people share their insights derived from their understanding at a time and place where we can effectively apply it to our situation.
We admire them, perhaps even while also disliking them for the uncomfortable feeling of our own need to change. For, we hate to change–our minds, our lifestyle, our habits.
I think of people who met Jesus and understood the wisdom of his words and yet walked away sadly knowing that they had not the courage or energy to change.
And I wonder, where do we need to change beginning today? And what? And how?
The rest of Chapter 18 talks of problems we cause through our talking. Similar to cautions found in the letter of James in the New Testament. Perhaps that would be a useful change for us beginning today–how and what we communicate?
I’ve made progress and yet much work remains. How about you?
Faith Venture 
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