The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Wisdom Versus Foolishness

The book of Proverbs opens up for me a window into wisdom. The Bible as a whole represents how the mind of God works. He establishes Himself on every page. We know who He is through His word.

Here are seven signs of a fool as mentioned in Proverbs. Let’s wise up and get our dose of Proverbs daily lest we become fools!

1. Fools repeat folly. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11) This one doesn’t need an explanation…the visual is enough to make one wince.
2. Fools lack common sense. “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” (Proverbs 10:21) The book of Proverbs is replete with what is called chiastic fashion: parallel ideas set in mirror image to each other. Here, the lips of the righteous nourish many; however, fools die for lack of it.
3. Fools avoid the wise. “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” (Proverbs 15:12) So that explains why certain people avoid me…or does my statement reveal my pride? God will allow a fool to suffer his consequences. Death comes to those who reject discipline and repentance. How utterly foolish!
4. Fools pursue elusive dreams. “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24) Wisdom appears in him that hath understanding because he never loses sight of it; but the fool manifests his folly, as the man of understanding doth his wisdom, by his very appearance, by his light, unsteady, disorderly carriage and looks. He is inconsistent.
5. Fools are proud and arrogant. “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” (Proverbs 21:24)
6. Fools despise wisdom. “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” (Proverbs 23:9) I know this one first-hand. It is very ugly to share wisdom with someone who turns it against you. Foolish people are good at resenting you for the truth which you speak.
7. Fools persist in being fools. “Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.” (Proverbs 27:22) Here is a heart issue. The heart is what reveals who we really are. It is never satisfied and it is desperately wicked and deceitful. If foolishness overtakes the heart of someone, it is nearly impossible to remove it.

How do you deal with fools? How do you seek wisdom when confronting a fool?