Summary
This chapter delivers a masterclass in practical wisdom through sharp contrasts between wise and foolish behavior. Solomon opens with a powerful image: wise women build their households while foolish ones tear them down with their own hands. This sets the tone for thirty-five verses that function like a mirror, helping readers examine their own patterns and choices. The proverbs tackle workplace dynamics, showing how real productivity comes from actual work, not just talk. They address relationship skills, emphasizing that slow-to-anger people demonstrate true understanding while quick-tempered folks showcase their foolishness. Solomon doesn't shy away from hard truths about money and social dynamics, acknowledging that the poor often face rejection even from neighbors while the rich attract many friends. Yet he consistently champions mercy toward those struggling financially, framing it as honoring one's Creator. The chapter offers practical guidance for daily decisions: don't believe everything you hear, distance yourself from people who lack wisdom, and remember that paths that seem right can lead to destruction. Throughout, Solomon presents wisdom as both a protective shield and a building tool. These aren't abstract philosophical concepts but street-smart observations about human nature that remain startlingly relevant. The verses function as a diagnostic tool, helping readers identify whether their actions build up or tear down, whether they're operating from wisdom or foolishness in their relationships, work, and personal choices.
Coming Up in Chapter 15
The next chapter opens with one of the most practical pieces of relationship advice ever written: 'A soft answer turns away wrath.' Solomon is about to dive deep into the power of words and how they can either heal or destroy.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
E20:014:001 very wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 20:014:002 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 20:014:003 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 20:014:004 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 20:014:005 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 20:014:006 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. 20:014:007 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 20:014:008 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 20:014:009 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 20:014:010 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 20:014:011 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 20:014:012 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 20:014:013 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 20:014:014 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 20:014:015 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 20:014:016 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 20:014:017 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 20:014:018 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 20:014:019 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20:014:020 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. 20:014:021 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 20:014:022 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 20:014:023 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 20:014:024 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 20:014:025 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 20:014:026 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 20:014:027 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 20:014:028 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 20:014:029 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly....
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Building vs. Destroying
Every action either builds up or tears down, and the cumulative effect of small daily choices determines whether you construct or demolish your life.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how small daily choices compound into major life outcomes over time.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're tempted to complain versus solve, and choose the action that builds rather than tears down.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Proverb
A short, memorable saying that captures practical wisdom about life. These aren't just clever phrases - they're distilled observations about human behavior and consequences that have proven true across generations.
Modern Usage:
We still use proverbs today like 'Actions speak louder than words' or 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' to quickly communicate life lessons.
Wisdom Literature
A type of writing focused on practical guidance for daily living rather than historical events or religious ceremonies. It teaches people how to make good decisions and understand human nature.
Modern Usage:
Self-help books, life coaching, and even good advice columns follow this same pattern of offering practical wisdom for navigating life's challenges.
Parallelism
A Hebrew poetry technique where two lines say similar things in different ways, or contrast opposites to make a point stronger. It's like saying the same truth twice to help it stick.
Modern Usage:
We see this in memorable phrases like 'Easy come, easy go' or 'Live and let live' - the repetition makes the message more powerful.
Fear of the LORD
Not terror, but deep respect and recognition of God's authority and wisdom. It's the starting point for making good decisions because it acknowledges there are consequences bigger than what we can see.
Modern Usage:
Similar to having respect for natural laws or understanding that our choices have real consequences we need to take seriously.
Fool vs. Wise
In Proverbs, a fool isn't someone lacking intelligence but someone who rejects good advice and refuses to learn from consequences. The wise person listens, learns, and adjusts their behavior.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who keep making the same mistakes versus those who learn from experience and feedback.
Building vs. Tearing Down
A central metaphor in this chapter about whether our actions create stability and growth or cause destruction and chaos in our relationships and circumstances.
Modern Usage:
We talk about 'building bridges' versus 'burning bridges' or people who are 'constructive' versus 'destructive' in their approach to problems.
Characters in This Chapter
The Wise Woman
Positive example
Opens the chapter as someone who actively builds up her household through smart decisions and careful management. She represents intentional, constructive living.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who creates stability at home through good planning and wise choices
The Foolish Woman
Negative example
Contrasts with the wise woman by destroying her own household through poor choices. She represents self-sabotaging behavior that tears down what should be built up.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who creates drama and chaos in their own life through bad decisions
The Faithful Witness
Positive example
Someone who tells the truth consistently and can be trusted in important matters. Represents reliability and integrity in relationships and business.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker or friend you can always count on to give you the straight truth
The False Witness
Negative example
Someone who lies and cannot be trusted with important information. Represents the damage that dishonesty does to relationships and communities.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who spreads gossip or lies to get ahead or cause trouble
The Scorner
Negative example
Someone who mocks wisdom and refuses to learn, making it impossible for them to gain real understanding. They want knowledge but reject the humble attitude needed to receive it.
Modern Equivalent:
The know-it-all who thinks they're too smart to learn from anyone else
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."
Context: Opening verse that sets up the chapter's theme of building versus destroying
This powerful image shows how our choices either create stability or cause destruction in our lives. The contrast between building up and tearing down with your own hands emphasizes personal responsibility for outcomes.
In Today's Words:
Smart people create stability in their lives, but foolish people sabotage themselves.
"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox."
Context: Teaching about the relationship between effort and results
This verse acknowledges that real productivity requires accepting some mess and inconvenience. You can have a perfectly clean, empty barn or a messy, productive one - but not both.
In Today's Words:
If you want real results, you have to accept that the process won't always be neat and tidy.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Context: Warning about trusting our own judgment without seeking wisdom
This sobering reminder shows that good intentions and personal confidence aren't enough. What feels right in the moment can lead to serious consequences if we don't seek wisdom beyond our own perspective.
In Today's Words:
Just because something feels right doesn't mean it won't lead you off a cliff.
"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
Context: Teaching about emotional control and wisdom
This verse connects emotional regulation with intelligence and understanding. Quick anger is presented not as passion but as foolishness that puts itself on display for everyone to see.
In Today's Words:
People who can keep their cool show real intelligence, but hot-heads just advertise their foolishness.
Thematic Threads
Work Ethics
In This Chapter
Contrasts empty talk with actual productivity—those who work have abundance while those who just talk face poverty
Development
Builds on earlier themes about diligence, now focusing on the gap between words and actions
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in coworkers who talk big about projects but never deliver results.
Emotional Regulation
In This Chapter
Emphasizes that slow-to-anger people show understanding while quick-tempered people display foolishness
Development
Expands previous teachings about anger management into a marker of wisdom versus foolishness
In Your Life:
You see this when you react too quickly to criticism and later regret what you said in anger.
Social Dynamics
In This Chapter
Acknowledges harsh reality that poor people face rejection while rich people attract friends
Development
Continues honest examination of how money affects relationships and social standing
In Your Life:
You might notice how people treat you differently based on your job title or financial situation.
Discernment
In This Chapter
Warns against believing every word and emphasizes the need to verify information
Development
Builds on themes of wisdom by focusing on critical thinking and information evaluation
In Your Life:
You encounter this when deciding whether to believe workplace gossip or social media claims.
Mercy
In This Chapter
Frames kindness to the poor as honoring God, while oppressing them brings reproach
Development
Continues emphasis on caring for vulnerable people as a moral imperative
In Your Life:
You face this choice when encountering homeless individuals or coworkers struggling financially.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Solomon contrasts wise women who build their households with foolish ones who tear them down 'with their own hands.' What specific daily actions do you think build up a home versus tear it down?
analysis • surface - 2
The chapter says 'In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.' Why do you think talking about work often substitutes for actually doing work, both in jobs and personal projects?
analysis • medium - 3
Solomon observes that 'the poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.' Where do you see this dynamic playing out in modern workplaces, schools, or social media?
application • medium - 4
The proverb warns that 'there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.' Think of a time when you or someone you know chose a path that seemed obviously right but led to problems. How could you spot these traps earlier?
application • deep - 5
Throughout this chapter, Solomon presents choices as either building up or tearing down. What does this binary thinking reveal about how small daily decisions shape our lives over time?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Builder vs. Destroyer Audit
Track your actions for one typical day and categorize each significant choice as either 'building' or 'tearing down' in three areas: relationships, work/productivity, and personal growth. Don't judge yourself—just observe the patterns. Look for moments when you chose words that built someone up versus tore them down, when you did actual work versus just talked about it, or when you made choices that moved you forward versus held you back.
Consider:
- •Small actions count more than dramatic gestures—focus on ordinary moments
- •Notice which category most of your choices fall into naturally
- •Pay attention to what triggers your 'tearing down' choices versus 'building up' ones
Journaling Prompt
Write about one relationship in your life that you've been unconsciously tearing down through small actions. What would it look like to start building it up instead? What's the first small change you could make tomorrow?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 15: The Power of Words and Wisdom
In the next chapter, you'll discover your words can either escalate or defuse conflict, and learn seeking advice from multiple people leads to better decisions. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.