Wisdom and Folly

From Proverbs:
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
Poles of human behavior (wisdom and folly) in Proverbs chapters 1-9 are personified as females who call out to the simple to entice them. Both the magnificent portrait of Wisdom in 8:4-36 and degrading picture of Temptation in 7:6-23 are presented to us as though they were women.
The wise can never sit back and assume that their wisdom is complete for the wise can increase in learning and can continue to improve in the ways they hand on what they know to the young or to the simple for the words of the wise, must begin with the fear of the
L-rd.
Understanding - that is, words which enable one to discern good and evil.
Proverbs begins and Ecclesiastes ends with advice on how to read what these books contain: words of the wise should begin with the fear of the L-rd and end with the keeping of G-d’s commandments (Ecc. 12:13). The fear of the L-rd refers both to the sense of awe human beings feel in the presence of the L-rd and to the respect they show towards the L-rd’s intentions and teachings.
Fools- the stupid and indifferent to G-d's character and government; hence the wicked
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
How long an exclamation of impatience for information. Wisdom speaks to the simple ones who love being simple and to those who hate knowledge in the same terms that a prophet addresses those who turn away from the L-rd and the L-rd’s ways.
Wisdom speaks through the wisdom teacher’s voice in much the same way as the L-rd speaks through the prophets of Israel and Judah. Like Amos 8:12 speaks parallel phrasing: ‘They shall seek the word of the L-rd, but they shall not find it.’
Simplicity - implying ignorance. Scorners - (Psalms 1:1) - who despise, as well as reject, truth. Fools - Though a different word is used from that of 1:7, yet it is of the same meaning.
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the L-RD:
Indicates that the speaker equates knowledge with the fear of the L-rd. The counsels of Wisdom and the Torah of the L-rd are understood as simply two ways of expressing the same truths, and then the rejection of wisdom logically can be understood as a form of sin, which is subject to the consequences of sin.
The speaker first assert that rejecting what Wisdom has to offer is virtually the same as refusing to give reverence to the L-rd and then describes the consequences in 28-33 of these foolish refusals to listen to Wisdom.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Just as the pursuit of wisdom leads us to the knowledge of G-d, it also leads us to understand what righteousness, justice, and equity are all about. It is the teacher’s conviction that having wisdom in one’s heart is closely tied to being one of the L-rd’s faithful followers. Wisdom and worship are two sides of the same coin; Wisdom enables and encourages us to act in life-enhancing ways that are fully in accord with the Torah.
Having wisdom in one’s heart acts as a protective device, because wisdom includes the knowledge of G-d, or knowing what G-d is about through the Scriptures. Thus those who have discretion and understanding will be delivered or saved from evil influences.
The L-RD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Wisdom is subordinate to the L-rd, as any instrument or agent is subordinate to the one who wields it. The L-rd and not wisdom is the ultimate source of life, the instruction blends a concern for prudence (an awareness of a relationship between acts and their results) with an affirmation that human wisdom alone is not a sufficient basis for all actions.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Apparent overconfidence in prediction the consequences of actions there are some directional signals available. This is what commandments and precepts are for: they function as signposts along the way, enabling the wise to discern the direction in which they are headed. Thus, those who keep an eye on wisdom and discretion can walk confidently along uncertain paths secure in the
L-rd’s protection and guided by some specific directions given in v. 27-31.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Both wisdom and folly invite the simple, those unprotected by knowledge of the world to turn in here. But while the protection wisdom offers will lead to life, the narrator tells us in no uncertain terms that those who accept folly’s hospitality will end up in the depths of Sheol.
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
It is easier for the wise to say what leads to life than to say what life is. In the first section of Solomonic sayings, the teaching of the wise, reverence or fear of the L-rd, and wisdom are all said to be a fountain of life (14:27; 16:22). Both a gentle tongue and the fruit of the righteous are call a tree of life (15:4; 11:30). The fear of the L-rd prolongs life (10:27) or leads to life (19:23), and he who keeps the commandment keeps his life (19:16). The wage of the righteous leads to life (10:16), guarding the way preserves life (16:17, those who heed instruction are on the path to life (10:17), and the reward for humility and fear of the L-rd is riches and honor and life (22:4). One who is steadfast in righteousness will live, but one who pursues evil will die (11:19), as will one who despises the word (19:16, 13:13) or hates reproof (15:10). Fools die for lack of sense (10:21).
Life is used in most of these sayings as a figure of speech referring to quality and quantity of life rather than to mere physical existence. Avoiding a premature or tragic death rather than an escape from mortality itself.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
The simple seems to be those who are gullible or easily misled: The simple believeth every word. The simple lack foresight, but they can learn from others’ experiences. When prudent people are danger they hide from it, but the simple go on, and suffer for it (27:12).
A handful of sayings refer to someone who lacks a mind. This idiom is translated as lacks sense, lacks judgment, and void of understanding. Fools are said to die for lack of sense (15:21). Those who belittle their neighbors (11:12), follow worthless pursuits (12:11), and go into debt to their neighbors (17: 18) are all thought by the wise to be lacking in mental equipment.
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
The wise are those who know how to choose and to use the right saying on the right occasion. A shrewd observer can make almost any proverb into a true statement by using it to comment upon the right occasion. It then becomes a word in season, expressing the truth of that particular situation in life. 25:11.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the L-RD.
The fear (reverence) of the L-rd is instruction in wisdom (15:33) and that no wisdom can avail against the L-rd. Wisdom is more likely to be found with the humble than with the proud or the insolent (11:2; 13:10). Those who wish to become wise must associate with the wise (13:20). Wisdom may not be attainable for everyone (17:16).
Those who are wise will heed commandments and keep the Law (10:8, 28:7), take advice (12:15; 13:1), and listen to wholesome warning (15:31). The Wise act with caution (14:16), speak judiciously (16:33), and avoid getting into arguments (29:8, 11). Those who are wise seek, acquire, and lay up knowledge (10:14). The wise are those who know how to make effective use of what they have learned. They are able to apply their knowledge appropriately in concrete situations (14:8).
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
The sages of Israel can deliberately and knowingly list two completely opposite commands one right after the other, because they know that there are times when it is wise to answer a fool according to his folly and times when it is wiser not to do so.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Lying is a obvious misuse of the powers of speech. A person who lies and then says, I am only joking, is likened to a madman who throws firebrands (26:18-19).