Summary
This chapter dives deep into the mechanics of real relationships and smart living. Solomon opens with a reality check about tomorrow - don't count on it, because life throws curveballs. He's not being pessimistic; he's being practical. The nurse who assumes her shift will be easy, the factory worker who banks on overtime - they know surprises happen. Next comes a masterclass in authentic relationships. Real friends tell you hard truths, even when it stings. The coworker who points out your mistake isn't being mean - they're being loyal. Meanwhile, the supervisor who only gives compliments might be setting you up to fail. Solomon uses vivid images: a hungry person finds even bitter food sweet, while someone who's full rejects honey. When you're desperate for connection, you'll accept fake friendship. When you're secure, you can spot the difference. The famous 'iron sharpens iron' principle reveals how good relationships work - through friction, challenge, and mutual growth. Your best friend isn't the one who always agrees with you; it's the one who makes you better through honest feedback. Solomon also tackles practical wisdom: see trouble coming and prepare for it. Don't cosign loans for strangers. Pay attention to your finances and resources. Some people can't be changed no matter how much effort you put in. The chapter balances relationship wisdom with street smarts, showing how emotional intelligence and practical planning work together. These aren't just nice sayings - they're survival skills for navigating workplace politics, family dynamics, and personal growth in a world where people aren't always what they seem.
Coming Up in Chapter 28
The next chapter opens with a powerful image about confidence and fear - why some people run when no one's chasing them, while others stand firm like lions. Solomon will explore what real courage looks like in everyday situations.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 487 words)
B20:027:001 oast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 20:027:002 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 20:027:003 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. 20:027:004 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? 20:027:005 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 20:027:006 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 20:027:007 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 20:027:008 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. 20:027:009 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 20:027:010 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. 20:027:011 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. 20:027:012 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 20:027:013 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 20:027:014 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. 20:027:015 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 20:027:016 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. 20:027:017 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 20:027:018 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. 20:027:019 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. 20:027:020 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. 20:027:021 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. 20:027:022 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 20:027:023 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 20:027:024 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 20:027:025 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 20:027:026 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 20:027:027 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Real Recognition - When Truth Hurts and Lies Comfort
The tendency to mistake enabling for caring and constructive criticism for hostility, leading us to reject help and embrace harm.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches you to identify who holds real influence versus who just talks loud, and how to position yourself accordingly.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gives you feedback that stings but helps versus praise that feels good but doesn't change anything - track which type of person actually shows up when you need them.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Surety
A person who takes responsibility for another's debt or obligation, essentially cosigning a loan. In ancient times, this often meant risking your own property or freedom if the borrower defaulted. Solomon warns against doing this for strangers because you're betting your financial security on someone you don't really know.
Modern Usage:
Today this shows up as cosigning car loans, apartment leases, or credit cards for friends or relatives - you're legally on the hook if they can't pay.
Open rebuke
Honest, direct criticism given face-to-face rather than behind someone's back. Solomon argues this is actually more loving than keeping quiet when someone needs to hear the truth. It takes courage to confront someone directly, but it shows you care enough to risk the relationship for their benefit.
Modern Usage:
This is the difference between telling your friend their boyfriend is bad news versus just gossiping about it with others.
Iron sharpens iron
A metaphor for how good relationships involve friction and challenge that makes both people better. Just as metal tools are sharpened by rubbing against other metal, people grow stronger through honest feedback and constructive conflict with trusted friends.
Modern Usage:
We see this in workout partners who push each other, study groups that challenge your thinking, or mentors who give tough feedback.
Prudent man
Someone who uses good judgment and thinks ahead, especially about potential problems. In Solomon's wisdom literature, prudence means being smart about risks and preparing for difficulties rather than just hoping everything works out fine.
Modern Usage:
This is the person who builds an emergency fund, gets their car serviced regularly, or saves money when times are good because they know hard times come.
Strange woman
In Proverbs, this often refers to an adulteress or prostitute, but more broadly means someone outside your community or family who might lead you into trouble. The warning is about getting financially or emotionally entangled with people whose loyalties lie elsewhere.
Modern Usage:
Today this could be anyone who's trying to use you - the person who only calls when they need money, or the romantic interest who's obviously just using you.
Hearty counsel
Deep, sincere advice that comes from genuine care and understanding. This isn't surface-level suggestions but wisdom that addresses the real issues in someone's life. Solomon values this kind of authentic guidance between true friends.
Modern Usage:
This is the friend who sits you down for a real talk about your life choices, not just someone who tells you what you want to hear.
Characters in This Chapter
The prudent man
Wise example
He represents someone who sees trouble coming and takes steps to protect himself, contrasting with the simple person who walks into danger unprepared. Solomon uses him to show the value of thinking ahead and being realistic about risks.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who always has backup plans and emergency savings
The simple
Cautionary example
These are people who don't think ahead or learn from others' mistakes. They walk straight into predictable problems and then suffer the consequences. Solomon uses them to show what happens when you ignore warning signs.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who keeps making the same financial mistakes and wondering why they're always broke
The faithful friend
Loyal companion
This person tells hard truths even when it hurts, contrasting with fake friends who only say nice things. Solomon presents them as more valuable than family members who aren't there when you need them most.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who tells you when you're being stupid, even if it makes you mad
The enemy with kisses
Deceptive antagonist
Someone who acts friendly and affectionate but has hidden motives to harm you. Solomon warns that their fake kindness is more dangerous than honest criticism because it's harder to recognize the threat.
Modern Equivalent:
The workplace frenemy who's super sweet to your face but undermines you behind your back
The stranger seeking surety
Financial risk
This person wants you to cosign their debt or guarantee their obligations. Solomon warns against this because they have no real loyalty to you and you don't know their true character or financial situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The acquaintance who wants you to cosign their car loan or apartment lease
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
Context: Opening advice about not being overconfident about future plans
This isn't pessimism but realism - life is unpredictable and making assumptions about tomorrow can set you up for disappointment or poor decisions. Solomon wants people to plan wisely but hold their plans lightly.
In Today's Words:
Don't count your chickens before they hatch - you never know what curveball life will throw at you.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Context: Contrasting real friendship with fake friendship
Real friends care enough to hurt your feelings temporarily if it helps you long-term, while enemies use fake affection to manipulate you. The pain from honest feedback is actually a sign of love, not cruelty.
In Today's Words:
A real friend will tell you the truth even if it stings, but a fake friend will sweet-talk you while stabbing you in the back.
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Context: Explaining how good relationships involve constructive friction
Just as metal tools get sharper through contact with other metal, people become better through challenging interactions with good friends. Growth requires friction, not just comfort and agreement.
In Today's Words:
Good friends make each other better by challenging each other, just like how metal gets sharper when it rubs against metal.
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."
Context: Comparing wise and foolish responses to potential danger
Smart people pay attention to warning signs and take protective action, while naive people ignore obvious red flags and walk straight into trouble. This principle applies to everything from finances to relationships.
In Today's Words:
Smart people see trouble coming and get out of the way, but clueless people walk right into it and then wonder what hit them.
Thematic Threads
Authentic Relationships
In This Chapter
Real friends tell hard truths; fake friends offer empty comfort and flattery
Development
Builds on earlier wisdom about choosing companions, now focusing on recognizing genuine care
In Your Life:
The people who make you uncomfortable with their honesty are often more valuable than those who always agree with you.
Practical Wisdom
In This Chapter
Don't count on tomorrow, prepare for trouble, manage your resources carefully
Development
Continues theme of forward-thinking and personal responsibility from previous chapters
In Your Life:
Planning for problems before they happen saves you from scrambling when crisis hits.
Human Nature
In This Chapter
Hungry people accept bitter food; satisfied people reject honey - desperation clouds judgment
Development
Deepens understanding of how circumstances affect decision-making and perception
In Your Life:
When you're lonely or desperate, you're more likely to accept relationships or situations that aren't good for you.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Iron sharpens iron - growth comes through challenge and friction with others
Development
Expands on earlier teachings about learning and self-improvement
In Your Life:
Your biggest growth often comes from people who challenge you, not those who coddle you.
Social Dynamics
In This Chapter
Understanding the difference between praise and flattery, loyalty and enabling
Development
Builds sophisticated framework for reading people's true motivations
In Your Life:
Learning to distinguish between people who genuinely care about your success versus those who benefit from your failure.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Solomon warns against boasting about tomorrow and emphasizes that real friends wound you with truth while enemies flatter with lies. What specific examples does he give about how authentic relationships actually work?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Solomon say that wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy? What makes it so hard for people to accept criticism from those who care about them?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or family relationships. Where do you see people mistaking flattery for friendship or avoiding necessary but uncomfortable conversations?
application • medium - 4
Solomon says 'iron sharpens iron' - meaning people make each other better through friction. How would you create a relationship or work environment where people can challenge each other constructively without it turning toxic?
application • deep - 5
This chapter suggests we often reject the people trying to help us grow while embracing those who enable our problems. What does this reveal about how humans naturally respond to discomfort versus comfort?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Truth-Tellers vs. Your Flatterers
Draw two columns on paper. In the left column, list people who have given you difficult but helpful feedback recently - even if it stung at the time. In the right column, list people who mostly tell you what you want to hear. Look at both lists and consider: which relationships actually help you grow? Which ones might be keeping you stuck?
Consider:
- •Notice your gut reaction to each person's feedback - do you get defensive or do you listen?
- •Consider the long-term outcomes - whose advice has actually improved your life?
- •Think about which type of person you are to others - do you offer loving correction or comfortable lies?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's criticism hurt your feelings but ultimately helped you. What made you eventually see their point? How can you become better at receiving difficult truths from people who care about you?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 28: When Power Corrupts and Conscience Guides
What lies ahead teaches us guilt creates its own prison while integrity builds inner strength, and shows us quick money schemes usually backfire on those who chase them. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.