proverbs
Proverbs 11/31 Pride leads to disgrace, humility to wisdom. The good are diverted from trouble, the evil walk right into it. Two things bring gladness: good for the good, and bad for the bad. Remain silent, do not belittle others or share their secrets. A violent man may get riches, but not honor. Beauty without discretion is like a pearl in a pile of crap. One who gives grows richer, one who withholds giving suffers want. Do not put faith in your riches.
Day 10 of summarizing Proverbs. Lots of good insight, and some taboo/uncomfy topics to write about. Avoiding adultery and lack of wisdom leading to death are common themes so far. Crazy that something written 2-3k years ago can have such relevance today. I guess wisdom is wisdom, for now and always.
Proverbs 10/31 Riches from evil do not profit, but righteousness is life. Inaction = poverty, diligence = rich. The legacy of the righteous is a lasting blessing, but an evil legacy will rot quickly. He who is crooked will be found out. Hatred stirs the pot, love smooths all offenses. Multitudes of words indicate wrongdoing, the prudent one restrains their lips. The righteous feed many while fools die for their lack of understanding. The wicked get what they dread, the righteous get what they desire. The way of the Lord is a fortress for the good, but destruction for the evil.
Proverbs 9/31 You’re inviting trouble if you correct a mocker. But if you give feedback to a wise person, they will love you and become wiser. The knowledge of God is insight. Folly is loud, seductive, and ignorant. She encourages thievery and secrecy.
Proverbs 8/31 Wisdom is righteous. It is not twisted or crooked. Wisdom is better than riches. Wisdom hates pride, arrogance, evil, and crooked speech. Wisdom has strength. Wisdom loves those who love her. God possessed wisdom at the beginning. Before the depths, mountains, and fields, there was wisdom. Whoever finds wisdom finds life.
Proverbs 7/31 Consider wisdom an intimate friend. Do not stray into the path of the forbidden lover. Do not be compelled by smooth talk and seductive speech. One who is persuaded is like an ox led to the slaughter. They do not know it will cost them their life, and yet it is so. The forbidden lover has claimed many victims, and their house is the way to death.
Proverbs 6/31 Do not stake your fate on the reliability of another person. Follow the example of the ant. Keep working. A little laziness and you will quickly become poor. Do not sow discord, you will be broken. Don’t be captured by the adulterer. Prostitutes and porn are cheap, but a spouse is worth a life. Don’t get too friendly with another’s spouse. Can you carry a fire and not be burned? Those that commit adultery destroy themselves and invite revenge.
Proverbs 5/31 A forbidden lover may seem sweet, but behind the veneer is bitter decay that leads to death. Drink from your own well. Your spouse is for you, and you for your spouse. Take joy in your spouse’s loveliness, and delight in their love. One who falls into the arms of the forbidden lover is suddenly and unexpectedly ensnared in an inescapable trap. They die for lack of discipline.
Proverbs 4/31 The first step in wisdom is seeking and loving wisdom. Guard wisdom like you would your life. Do not step onto the path of evil. When it presents itself, turn the other way and go on. Protect your heart, it manifests the substance of life. Stay far away devious talk. Keep your focus ahead of you. Think deeply about where you are going. Do not swerve from your path.
Proverbs 3/31 Embody enduring love and faithfulness, you will find favor with God and people. Trust God, don’t be arrogant in your self-perceived wisdom. Be generous. Give the best of what you have and you will never run out. Wisdom will yield better returns than gold, bitcoin, or NFTs. Wisdom and discretion will make you feel light and confident. When you have good to give, give it. Don’t look up to those who get what the want with violence and deviousness.
Proverbs 2/31 Seek wisdom with integrity, and you will find it. Be upright and just, you will be shielded from those that live in darkness. In this way you will not fall into the trap of sensuality and instant gratification. These lead to decay and death. Those who are upright will remain, those who are corrupt will not.
Proverbs 1/31 These proverbs are for wisdom and instruction. Wisdom starts with humility, so prideful fools hate wisdom. When trolls and evil people invite you into their plans, don’t go with them. Those who destroy others to lift themselves up will only destroy themselves in the end. Be open to criticism, and you will be open to wisdom. Seek wisdom at all times, so you have it on-hand when you need it. The fool that seeks wisdom only during a disaster will not find it.
To start my year with wisdom, each day of January I’m going to read a Proverb and summarize it into a couple sentences in my own words.