Proverbs 16:22

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about folly:

Proverbs 16:22

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,

But the discipline of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:22 (ESV)

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

If you had a choice between having prudence or listening to the instruction of a fool, which one would you choose? This seems to be the path that Solomon is laying before us in the above proverb.  The purpose of the book of Proverbs is to give us prudence. That's the theme covered in chapter 1.  If we listen to God's wisdom and fear the Lord we will attain prudence; understanding.  But, in contrast, if we listen to the instruction that we get from fools we will only have folly.  Note how Solomon develops this theme in the next chapter in a similar proverb:

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

What Solomon seems to be telling us is that when a fool opens his mouth we have folly. But when a fool closes his mouth we get prudence. Prudence equals understanding.  People who do not seek God's face and His wisdom will end up giving us instructions that leads us to folly. People who fear the Lord will find that they are given understanding which gives them prudence for life.  When we listen to fools we will only gain folly.  Today’s fools can be in the highest places of our lands.  They expect us to hear them and heed them.  But, the truth is, they only spew foolishness.  True wisdom and understanding comes from Gods Word.  Good instruction should flow from God’s mind, not from a fools thoughts.