Summary
Solomon presents wisdom as a woman who has built a magnificent house and prepared a feast, inviting everyone to come learn. She offers real nourishment - bread and wine that sustain life. But there's competition across the street. Folly, also portrayed as a woman, sits at her door making the same invitation to passersby. Her offer sounds appealing: 'stolen waters are sweet, and secret bread tastes better.' She promises the thrill of forbidden pleasures and easy answers. The chapter reveals a crucial life pattern: we're constantly choosing between these two invitations. Wisdom requires effort, discipline, and the humility to accept correction. Folly offers instant gratification and tells us what we want to hear. Solomon emphasizes that wise people actually welcome feedback and criticism because it helps them grow. They see correction as a gift. Fools, on the other hand, hate anyone who points out their mistakes and will turn against those trying to help them. This creates a revealing test: how do you respond when someone corrects you? Your reaction shows whether you're on wisdom's path or folly's. The stakes couldn't be higher - those who accept wisdom's invitation find life and understanding, while those who choose folly's shortcuts end up in spiritual death, even if they don't realize it at first. The chapter serves as a warning that not all invitations are equal, and the most appealing option isn't always the right one.
Coming Up in Chapter 10
After this grand invitation to choose wisdom, Solomon shifts to practical everyday guidance. The next section begins his famous collection of individual proverbs, starting with how our choices as children affect our parents and shape our futures.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 306 words)
20:009:001 isdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven
pillars:
20:009:002 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she
hath also furnished her table.
20:009:003 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest
places of the city,
20:009:004 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that
wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
20:009:005 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have
mingled.
20:009:006 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of
understanding.
20:009:007 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he
that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
20:009:008 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man,
and he will love thee.
20:009:009 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
20:009:010 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding.
20:009:011 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy
life shall be increased.
20:009:012 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou
scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
20:009:013 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth
nothing.
20:009:014 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the
high places of the city,
20:009:015 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
20:009:016 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that
wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
20:009:017 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is
pleasant.
20:009:018 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her
guests are in the depths of hell.
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 Two Doors - How to Spot the Difference Between Real Help and Appealing Harm
Life constantly offers two types of help: genuine wisdom that requires effort but builds something lasting, and appealing folly that promises easy results but leads to harm.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between helpful guidance and harmful shortcuts by observing how the advice-giver responds to questions and pushback.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone offers you advice or solutions - test their reaction when you ask follow-up questions or express concerns about potential problems.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Personification of Wisdom
Solomon presents wisdom as a woman who builds a house and prepares a feast. This literary technique makes abstract concepts concrete and relatable. Instead of talking about wisdom as an idea, he shows us wisdom as a hostess inviting guests to her table.
Modern Usage:
We still personify concepts today - 'Lady Justice' with her scales, or saying 'opportunity knocked' at someone's door.
Seven Pillars
The seven pillars of wisdom's house represent completeness and perfection in ancient Hebrew culture. Seven was considered the perfect number, suggesting that true wisdom provides a complete, stable foundation for life.
Modern Usage:
We still use 'seven' to suggest completeness in phrases like 'seven wonders of the world' or 'lucky number seven.'
Simple
In Hebrew wisdom literature, 'simple' doesn't mean stupid - it means inexperienced or naive. These are people who haven't yet chosen between wisdom and folly. They're still teachable and open to learning.
Modern Usage:
Today we might call someone 'green' or 'new to this' - they lack experience but can still learn.
Scorner
A scorner is someone who mocks wisdom and refuses correction. They're not just wrong - they actively resist being taught and ridicule those who try to help them. This is different from someone who's simply mistaken.
Modern Usage:
The person who rolls their eyes at safety training, mocks their supervisor's advice, or says 'whatever' when given feedback.
Fear of the LORD
This doesn't mean being terrified of God, but having deep respect and reverence. It's recognizing that there's something bigger than yourself and your opinions. It's the starting point of all real wisdom.
Modern Usage:
Like having healthy respect for electricity, the ocean, or any powerful force - you take it seriously because you understand its power.
Stolen Waters
This phrase represents the appeal of forbidden or easy pleasures. Folly promises that breaking rules or taking shortcuts makes things more exciting and satisfying than doing things the right way.
Modern Usage:
The idea that 'forbidden fruit tastes sweeter' or that cheating, cutting corners, or breaking rules is more thrilling than honest work.
Characters in This Chapter
Wisdom
Protagonist and mentor figure
She builds a solid house, prepares nourishing food, and sends out invitations to everyone. She offers real sustenance and lasting value, but requires effort and commitment from those who accept her invitation.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced coworker who takes time to train you properly
Folly
Antagonist and deceiver
She sits at her door making competing offers to the same people wisdom invites. She promises easy pleasure and forbidden thrills, but her house leads to spiritual death. She's loud and attention-seeking but offers nothing of real value.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who always has get-rich-quick schemes or drama
The Simple
Target audience for both invitations
These are the inexperienced people both wisdom and folly are trying to attract. They represent anyone facing a choice between taking the easy path or doing the hard work of learning and growing.
Modern Equivalent:
The new employee deciding whether to learn properly or cut corners
The Wise Man
Example of wisdom's student
This person welcomes correction and instruction, seeing feedback as a gift that helps them grow. They demonstrate what it looks like to be teachable and humble.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who says 'thanks for letting me know' when you point out their mistake
The Scorner
Example of folly's victim
This person hates correction and will turn against anyone who tries to help them. They reveal their character by how they respond to feedback - with anger and blame rather than gratitude.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who gets defensive and hostile when given constructive criticism
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."
Context: Wisdom is calling out to inexperienced people, inviting them to her feast
This shows that wisdom is accessible to everyone, not just the naturally smart or educated. She specifically calls to those who lack understanding, offering real nourishment that will sustain them through life's challenges.
In Today's Words:
Hey, if you're new to this and want to learn, come sit at my table - I've got what you need to succeed.
"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee."
Context: Explaining the different ways people respond to correction
This reveals a crucial life pattern - how someone responds to feedback shows their character. It's also practical advice about who's worth your effort to help and who will just turn against you.
In Today's Words:
Don't waste time correcting someone who mocks advice - they'll just hate you for it. But a wise person will appreciate your honesty.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Context: Explaining the foundation of all true wisdom
This establishes that real wisdom starts with humility - recognizing there's something bigger than your own opinions and experience. Without this foundation, all other learning is just collecting facts.
In Today's Words:
Real wisdom starts when you realize you don't know everything and there are bigger forces at work than just your own ideas.
"Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
Context: Folly's sales pitch to attract people to her house
This captures the appeal of shortcuts, forbidden pleasures, and rule-breaking. Folly promises that doing wrong feels better than doing right, playing on our natural attraction to what's forbidden or easy.
In Today's Words:
Breaking the rules is more fun, and getting away with something feels better than doing it the right way.
Thematic Threads
Discernment
In This Chapter
Solomon shows wisdom and folly as competing women making similar invitations, teaching us to look beyond surface appeal
Development
Builds on earlier chapters about choosing good counsel and avoiding bad company
In Your Life:
You face this every time someone offers advice, a job opportunity, or relationship guidance—learning to distinguish genuine help from harmful shortcuts
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Wise people welcome correction and feedback as gifts that help them improve, while fools reject any criticism
Development
Deepens the theme from earlier chapters about accepting instruction and discipline
In Your Life:
Your reaction when someone points out your mistakes reveals whether you're growing or stagnating
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Both wisdom and folly present themselves as socially acceptable, showing that cultural approval doesn't guarantee correctness
Development
Continues the pattern of questioning popular choices versus right choices
In Your Life:
You'll often find the crowd following the more appealing invitation, even when it leads nowhere good
Identity
In This Chapter
Your choice between wisdom's feast and folly's stolen bread reveals and shapes who you're becoming
Development
Builds on the theme that our choices create our character over time
In Your Life:
The shortcuts you take or refuse today determine the person you'll be tomorrow
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The chapter shows how people respond differently to correction—some grow closer through honest feedback, others turn hostile
Development
Expands on earlier themes about choosing companions and the impact of relationships on character
In Your Life:
The people who can handle your honest feedback are often your truest friends, even if it doesn't feel that way initially
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Solomon describes two women making invitations - Wisdom and Folly. What does each one offer, and how do their invitations differ?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Folly's offer of 'stolen waters are sweet' sound appealing? What makes her invitation attractive compared to Wisdom's?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about advice you've received recently - from family, coworkers, or online. Which pieces felt like Wisdom's invitation and which felt like Folly's? What was the difference?
application • medium - 4
Solomon says wise people welcome correction while fools hate it. How do you typically react when someone points out your mistakes? What does this reveal about which path you're on?
application • deep - 5
Why do you think humans are naturally drawn to shortcuts and quick fixes, even when we know better? What does this pattern teach us about making good decisions?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Sales Pitch
Think of a recent decision you faced where you had multiple options - a job opportunity, health advice, financial choice, or relationship guidance. Write down what each option 'promised' you and what it actually required from you. Then identify which promises sounded like Wisdom's feast (honest about the work required) and which sounded like Folly's stolen water (too good to be true).
Consider:
- •Notice which option felt immediately more appealing and why
- •Consider what each choice would cost you in time, energy, or relationships
- •Pay attention to how each option made you feel about yourself - empowered or flattered?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose the 'stolen water' option because it seemed easier. What were the long-term consequences? How would you handle a similar situation now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 10: Words That Build and Words That Destroy
After this grand invitation to choose wisdom, Solomon shifts to practical everyday guidance. The next section begins his famous collection of individual proverbs, starting with how our choices as children affect our parents and shape our futures.
