Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18 contrasts the pursuit of wisdom with the folly of the ignorant, emphasizing the destructive power of the tongue and the importance of righteous speech. It highlights the Lord as a strong tower for the righteous, contrasting this with the fleeting security of wealth. The chapter also touches on the value of humility, true friendship, and the blessing of a good wife.

This chapter of Proverbs explores various aspects of wisdom, folly, and human conduct. It begins by noting that a man of desire seeks wisdom, while a fool finds no delight in understanding, instead revealing his own heart. The destructive nature of a fool's words is emphasized, leading to contention and ruin, alongside the wounding effect of a talebearer's speech. The chapter contrasts the Lord's name as a strong tower for the righteous with the rich man's wealth, which he perceives as a secure city. It teaches that haughtiness precedes destruction, while humility precedes honour, and warns against answering before hearing. The power of the tongue is a central theme, asserting that death and life are in its control, and individuals will be satisfied by its fruit. Finally, the chapter extols the finding of a good wife as a favour from the Lord and praises the loyalty of a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs chapter 18 opens by describing the man who, through desire, separates himself to seek and intermeddle with all wisdom, contrasting this with the fool who has no delight in understanding but only wishes to reveal his own heart. The text then addresses the consequences of wickedness, stating that contempt and reproach accompany the wicked. It likens the words of a wise man to deep waters and a flowing brook, while condemning the perversion of justice by accepting the wicked and overthrowing the righteous. A significant portion of the chapter focuses on the destructive nature of the fool's speech, whose lips lead to contention and whose mouth calls for strokes, ultimately becoming a snare for his soul. The words of a talebearer are described as wounds that penetrate deeply. The chapter also notes that slothfulness in work is akin to being a great waster. A pivotal proverb declares the name of the LORD to be a strong tower, into which the righteous run and find safety, juxtaposing this with the rich man's wealth, which he conceives as his strong city and high wall. Humility is presented as a prerequisite for honour, while haughtiness precedes destruction. The folly and shame of answering a matter before hearing it are clearly stated. The spirit of a man can sustain infirmity, but a wounded spirit is unbearable. The prudent and the wise are characterized by their pursuit of knowledge. The power of a gift to open doors to great men is mentioned, as is the principle that the first in his own cause seems just until his neighbour scrutinizes him. The chapter also touches on the role of the lot in settling disputes and the difficulty of reconciling an offended brother. Critically, it asserts that a man's life is filled by the fruit of his mouth, and that death and life are in the power of the tongue. The finding of a good wife is presented as a good thing and a favour from the LORD, and the chapter concludes by contrasting the entreaties of the poor with the rough answers of the rich, and by extolling the value of a loyal friend who is closer than a brother.