Proverbs 13, Wise Mouths, Open Ears

We continue a collection of pithy two-line proverbs contrasting areas of wisdom and folly.

Proverbs 13:1, A father's instruction

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, 

but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

A common proverbial theme: listen to instruction and correction, here even more so if instruction comes from your father.

Proverbs 13:2-3, Lips and words

 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, 

but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

He who guards his lips guards his life, 

but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Contrasted are wise words and violent desires.

Proverbs 13:4, Delayed gratification

 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, 

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Another proverbial theme: the sluggard has fantasies and wishes but the diligent work to meet their desires.

Proverbs 13:5-6, Integrity

 The righteous hate what is false, 

but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, 

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Truth and integrity lead to success; the wicked are overwhelmed by their thoughts and plans.

Proverbs 13:7, Appearances

 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; 

another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Commentators remark on this verse -- it does not seem to teach some type of action, but alerts one to the financial images people may display. The con artist may pretend to have wealth but does not; the truly wealthy may be happy to look and act like ordinary folks.

Proverbs 13:8, It's nice being hidden

 A man's riches may ransom his life, 

but a poor man hears no threat.

This is another strange verse. One interpretation is that a rich man may be able to pay off any threats to his security but the poor man is not threatened because no one notices him. 

Proverbs 13:9, Glowing brightly in society

 The light of the righteous shines brightly, 

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

The righteous are successful and honored. (Is that what is meant by "light... shines brightly"?) But the wicked disappear like a flame of a candle is blown out.

Proverbs 13:10, Pride vs. openness to counsel

 Pride only breeds quarrels, 

but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

In Proverbs pride and arrogance are never good but listening to advice and criticism is always a good thing.

Proverbs 13:11, Be patient and invest slowly

 Dishonest money dwindles away, 

but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Build your estate carefully and slowly. Do not jump for get-rich-quick schemes, which disappear as quickly as they appear.

Proverbs 13:12, Hope deferred

 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

What does this mean? At first glance this seems to contradict the previous verse. "Hope deferred" is hope that is dragged out over a long time, leading to anxiousness and impatience. Of course, generally have a longing fulfilled is good.

Proverbs 13: 13-14, Seek instruction

 He who scorns instruction will pay for it, 

but he who respects a command is rewarded.

 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, 

turning a man from the snares of death.

See verse 10 and many other passages -- it is important to listen to instruction.

Long ago I was a serious chessplayer, playing in USCF tournaments (eventually reaching a modest USCF rating of about 1850.) It is customary, after each game, for the two players to do a post-mortem, to replay the game together, discussing their thoughts and strategies. I always offered that option to my opponent; it was especially insightful when I lost, for I discovered lots of lines of play that had not occurred to me in the game and so my playing was improved. But often, when I won, my opponent would angrily refuse to discuss the game. It was when I was most frustrated and most angry about losing that I must force myself to smile and say, "Shall we go out in the hall and replay the game?" 

One should grit one's teeth, force a smile, and say, "Teach me."  Criticism, constructive and delivered with insight, is always valuable!

Proverbs 13:15, Understanding and faithfulness

 Good understanding wins favor, 

but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Those who are untrustworthy make their roads hard.

Proverbs 13: 16, Knowledge and folly

 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, 

but a fool exposes his folly.

The fool is exposed by his folly and beliefs

Proverbs 13:17, Trustworthiness and healing

 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, 

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

Here and elsewhere, wisdom and integrity are associated with healing.

Proverbs 13:18, The importance of correction

 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, 

but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Another proverb about listening to correction. Kidner points out that this is Wisdom's rebuke in Proverbs 1:20-33.

Proverbs 13:19, Carefully choose your "longing"

 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, 

but fools detest turning from evil.

Here the righteous person supposedly works hard to fulfill a legitimate longing and to reap a proper reward; the fool's longing is merely wickedness.

Proverbs 13:20, Walk with wise

 He who walks with the wise grows wise, 

but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Listen to the advice of your companions and (Psalm 1:1) make sure you walk with wise companions!

Proverbs 13:21, An axiom

 Misfortune pursues the sinner, 

but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

The Axiom of Retribution: sin is punished, righteousness rewarded. As Kidner writes, "Proverbs is concerned about the general rule; Job (eg. chapter 21) with the exceptions."

Proverbs 13:22, For your grandchildren

 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, 

but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

The hard work of the righteous man is passed down to his children and grandchildren. (Please, O Lord, make this so!) But the wealth of the wicked is inherited, not by his children, but the righteous.

Proverbs 13:23, Build deep

 A poor man's field may produce abundant food, 

but injustice sweeps it away.

It is not clear to me what wisdom this passage imparts. Kidner suggests "that the size of your resources matters less than the judgment with which you handle them."

Proverbs 13:24, The rod and discipline

He who spares the rod hates his son, 

but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

A lot of ink (and maybe a little blood?) has been spilled over this verse. Kidner points to New Testament passages like Hebrews 12:5-11 and Ephesians 6:4 for a development of this verse both emphasizing the importance of discipline and tenderness. For Old Testament versions of both discipline and tenderness, indeed in Proverbs, see Proverbs 4:3, 11. (Kidner discusses the Proverbs development of the family on pp. 45f in his commentary.)

Proverbs 13:25, Safety and comfort

 The righteous eat to their hearts' content, 

but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

This verse sounds strange to me -- are the righteous greed? Kidner says that the emphasis in this verse is not on moderation but on retribution -- apparently the wicked is hungry because he has not taken care of his fields (see verses 21 and 22 above.)