Proverbs 15:20

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 child rearing:

Proverbs 15:20 (ESV)

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

It is great satisfaction to a parent to have a child who acts wise.  In our society we put a lot of emphasis on how children "turn out."   If they "turn out" correctly (by the world's standards) their parents have special status (again, per the world's standards).   Solomon has already said the first line once before, here:  

Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)

The Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

He adds several other proverbs with similar themes about obedient children:

Proverbs 13:1 (ESV)

A wise son hears his father’s instruction,

but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 29:3 (ESV)

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Proverbs 29:15 (ESV)

The rod and reproof give wisdom,

but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

The second line, in 15:20, shows the antithesis of the first line ... what happens if a child doesn't act according to wisdom?   That is the second line.   They grow up to be foolish and they despise their mother.   If they walk in wisdom they bring joy.  If they don't they not only don't bring joy they act in a way to show despite to their parent(s).   Solomon wrote these proverbs so that his children would not grow up to despise him.    He knew that absent God's wisdom all children will despise their parent(s).   God gives grace to children to become wise.  When that grace is not there they grow up to act in ways that brings shame to themselves and poor reputations to their parents.