Peter Kirby

There is a great fund of ancient literature that is worthwhile to read not only for historical interest but also for present-day application. Among these works are Aesop's Fables and the Confucian Analects. To these I would add the Jewish wisdom literature including Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Job, Sirach, and the Wisdom of Solomon. Here I will discuss the book of Proverbs.

Scholars separate chapters 1-9 as a post-exilic introduction to the book of Proverbs, which is itself a collection of collections of older sayings, most of them placed under the heading "proverbs of Solomon" but also some attributed to Agur (30:1-14) and Lemuel (31:1-9). The truth is that we don't know the names, places, and dates of the people who originally formulated these proverbs. Roland E. Murphy comments: "The reader may well be disappointed to be studying sayings that have no specific context, or only an uncertain 'editorial' context. But that is part of the charm of the proverbs; each one can be confronted and applied anew." (Proverbs, p. 69)

The exhortation of Proverbs is summed up in 4:7, "The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom!" This stands as an alternative to the refrain that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The truth is that one need no more posit the reality of a sentient supreme being in order to appreciate Proverbs than one need to imagine Wisdom as an actual lady crying out on street corners (1:21). Indeed Wisdom herself emerges as a quasi-deity in the book, a pre-existent co-artisan (8:22-31). Murphy remarks on Lady Wisdom, "She does not mention the Lord; she does not urge conversion to God, but to herself!" (Proverbs, p. 12) While there is a tendency for theists, as our compilers are, to theologize, those tendencies are, for a skeptic, appreciably muted in the book of Proverbs.

The fundamental presupposition of Proverbs is the dichotomy between good and evil, just and wicked, wise and foolish. At times this dichotomy dissolves any reality of the complexity and duplicity of human beings. The wicked temptress of the introductory chapters in particular seems unreal. But it can be said that the sharp distinction between good and evil in literature generally is not written for an exact description of reality but in order to sharpen the individual reader's moral sense. The way of light and the way of darkness is the stereotyped decision that confronts each of us in manifold ways in daily life, and while there are shades of gray, upholding a commitment to the light will allow one to see more clearly how to handle even a complex situation.

The sharp distinction between good and evil is accompanied by the belief in consequences: "Joy for the just, acting rightly; but ruin, for evildoers." (21:15) There is no hint of Pascal's Wager in the book of Proverbs, and the reward for doing good and avoiding evil is not to be found with "pie in the sky, or else you'll fry." Each receives his just deserts as consequences in the present world. "The just is recompensed on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!" (11:31) The metaphor of karma is possibly latent but not a necessary interpretation. The Socratic concept that doing good is its own reward is more evident, as in 11:17, "The kind person benefits hmself, but the cruel one harms himself."

As Aristotle realized, riches are not an end in themselves, and a contemplative life is a fine thing. "How much better to get wisdom than gold, preferable to silver, to get understanding." (16:16) Homer would be happy with this statement: "A name is preferable to great wealth, and graciousness better than silver and gold." (22:1) And those get-rich-quick spam messages are clearly contrary to the Bible, which says, "Wealth in haste counts for little, but one who gathers by hand will have much." (13:11) And also, "A lazy person has great craving, but nothing else! but the desire of the diligent is fulfilled." (13:4) This complements the advice of 23:4-5, "Do not wear yourself out to acquire wealth; have enough sense to stop. Will you let your eyes fix on it?--It is gone! For it grows wings for itself and flies to the sky like an eagle."

The one who reads the Bible looking for contradictions will not be disappointed with the book of Proverbs, but he will be deceived. Proverbs by design can only capture a single angle on reality, and discretion must be used in selecting which saying to apply. This is evident in the famous contradiction in 26:4-5: "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you too become like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes." Compare the present-day sayings "look before you leap" and "one who hesitates is lost." Both are good advice.

There are several other sayings on folly. For example, "A rebuke gets to an intelligent person better than a hundred lashes on a fool." (17:10) This one is a memorable image: "Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool repeating his folly." (26:11) Here's one that applies to internet discussions: "The anger of a fool is known immediately, but whoever conceals insult, a clever one!" (12:16) And also this: "One who answers before listening, his the folly and shame." (18:13) And another think to keep in mind is 15:1, which says, "A soft answer turns back wrath, but a sharp word stirs up anger." The complement of this saying is 28:23, "Whoever rebukes a person finds favor aftewards, more than one who is smooth-tongued."

Here's one that anyone in debt can relate to: "The rich have power over the poor; and one who borrows, a slave to one who lends." (22:7) This one reminds me of Robert Frost: "Do not remove the ancient boundary mark that your ancestors have fixed." (22:28) And remember, don't count your eggs before they're hatched, and "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day can bring forth." (27:1) I also found this saying apposite: "One who disregards a fault, one who seeks friendship; one who insists on it, one who loses a companion." (17:9)

The question arises: what is the value of proverbs, when any truth can be learned from one's own experience and contemplation? To this I answer that it is not wise to ignore the experience and contemplation of the human beings who have lived before you. You can benefit from their knowledge and apply it without committing all the same mistakes. You can more easily recognize general truths when they have been set down in writing before you. And, of course, it is easier to follow principles when they are remembered with a good turn of the phrase.

I will conclude with a saying from the book of Proverbs that every skeptic can appreciate: "The simple person believes everything, but the clever one watches his step." (14:15)

best,
Peter Kirby

Secular Pinoy

One of my favorite quotes from the bible is this gem from Proverbs:

Peter Kirby

Thank you Secular Pinoy!

Here's the NAB translation, which may be a bit more readable than the KJV that I linked above.

Does anyone else have any comments on Proverbs? We've got a whole book to work with here, we should be able to talk about it. Has anyone read it and said "shoot, that was a waste of time"? Or does anyone have any other comments on its contents? If so, I want to hear from you!

best,
Peter Kirby

Secular Pinoy

Oh, I happen to like Proverbs, as well as Ecclesiastes. If one were to interpret the references to god metaphorically, these two books read as though they were written for secularists.

I like the NAB version, though it's not available offline. I had a printed copy of that, but I can't find it in the huge piece of rubble I call my room. I think I'll just settle for my Zondervan NIV bible.

keyser_soze

Don't know about you guys, but this is one of my personal fave's...


Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Celsus

Well there are a few bad verses in Proverbs:

• Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them. (13:24)

Much child abuse has been carried out in the name of that one verse. However, my favourite passage in the Bible also comes from Proverbs, both as a Christian, and since then:

• Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (31:8-9)

A pity that the Christian Right so thoroughly ignores this passage.

Joel

[abused my moderator editing priveleges to change "Solomon" to "Proverbs"]

Arken

Isn't that pretty much the case for all of the bible? I mean, you could view the pentateuch as a political allegory about an extremely powerful, generally benevolent, yet sometimes corrupt king.

YHWHtruth

<<<<<Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them. (13:24)>>>>>


Rod” as used above does not necessarily mean spanking; it represents the means of correction, whatever form it may take. The New International Version says on this verse: “rod. Probably a figure of speech for discipline of any kind.” A rod is a symbol of rule or authority—in this case parental authority. A parent gets no thanks later for his permissiveness and spoiling: “If one is pampering one’s servant [or child] from youth on, in his later life he will even become a thankless one.” (Proverbs 29:21) To abdicate parental authority by permissiveness brings shame and shows not love but indifference; to use the rod of discipline kindly but firmly reflects loving concern. “The rod and reproof are what give wisdom; but a boy let on the loose will be causing his mother shame.” Proverbs 29:15.

Referring to Proverbs 13:24, the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament explains: “A father who truly wishes well to his son keeps him betimes under strict discipline, to give him while he is yet capable of being influenced the right direction, and to allow no errors to root themselves in him; but he who is indulgent toward his child when he ought to be strict, acts as if he really wished his ruin.” Moffatt’s New Translation of the Bible at Proverbs 19:18 concurs: “Chastise your son, while there is still hope of him, and do not let him run to ruin.” Kind but firm discipline from early childhood reflects parental love. Jesus said: “All those for whom I have affection I reprove and discipline.” As for Jehovah, “whom Jehovah loves he disciplines.”Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:6.

Discipline may at times involve spanking, but often it does not. Proverbs 8:33 does not say, “feel” discipline but, “listen to discipline and become wise.” Many times discipline comes in the form of words, not spankings: “The reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” “Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13; 6:23) When Jehovah’s servant Job needed to be disciplined, it was accomplished by reproving words, first by Elihu and then by Jehovah himself. (Job, chapters 32-41) Job accepted the reproof and said to Jehovah: “I make a retraction, and I do repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:6.

Pai·dei´a is the Greek word translated “discipline.” In its various forms it means to train, to educate, to be “instructing with mildness.” (2_Timothy 2:25) It relates more to training in conduct than to acquiring knowledge. This disciplining is to be “with all long-suffering and art of teaching.” (2_Timothy 4:2) It is well exemplified in the admonition to fathers: “And you, fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.” (Ephesians 6:4) Kindly but firmly, this discipline is to regulate youth in Jehovah’s way of thinking.

Max

Wayin

To answer or not to answer, that is the question

Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
KJV
:banghead:


Such is life!
Wayin

Wayin

1Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.




Such is life!
Wayin