Proverbs 26:16

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 the Sage-Sluggard:

Proverbs 26:16 (ESV)

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

than seven men who can answer sensibly.

There may be nothing worse to deal with than a Sage (someone who knows stuff ... or, at least thinks they know stuff) who is also a Sluggard.  The Sage-Sluggard combination is what Solomon is talking about in the above proverb.  When you’re dealing with someone who thinks they know everything and doesn't do anything, you have a deadly combination for pain and suffering in your life (and their lives).  These are people who sit on the sideline and watch others work, while at the same time telling us how to do the work.   The arrogance and entitlement is hard to digest.  If they are in your organization, church, family or life, Solomon is warning us to be careful on how we proceed.   The depth of their character is measured in the second line of the proverb when Solomon tells us that this Sage-Sluggard world is so arrogant that they think they are smarter than seven men who would and could give the correct and practical answer.   You might think answering them is the proper response.   But, Solomon says that even seven men are not capable of correcting them.