It’s fascinating to see how many times fools are mentioned in Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs mentions wise people too but the fool is mentioned 42 times! Fools are called out and so are the foolish, sometimes divided into foolish men and women.
For example, in Proverbs 9:13—”A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.”
In general, the fools in proverbs a divided into the categories of:
Here are some verses to illustrate:
Proverbs 1:7 - . . . .fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 10:14 - Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.
Proverbs 18:2 - A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (This means he only wants to get his point of view across and is not interested in hearing others).
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.
These are all from Proverbs 26:
3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. (This is a little harsh but hints that we must deal strongly with the undisciplined ego-mind and put it in its place or it will ride us).
4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (This is a great reminder not to get down into the slime and mud with someone who is immersed in their ego-minds. Otherwise, we will be fools too and be reduced to their level).
5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Again, do not lower yourself by disputing or arguing with him; he will not understand your meaning, and will think he has got the better of you, and maybe insult you too).
6: He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage. (Don’t think you can trust the foolish ego mind. It will lead you down the path of destruction every time).
7: The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. (Even fools can spout wisdom, but they are only mouthing the words because they sound good at the moment. They don’t really get it).
8: As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honor to a fool. (If you try to be nice to the ego mind and cajole it along in its folly, you are taking yourself down).
9: [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. (Wise sayings are a mockery when a fool, who does not live them, spouts them out of his mouth).
10: The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. (Even if you are a fool and completely off base, the Universe, in its eternal love, will treat you as fairly as anyone else, including people who do hurtful and harmful things).
11: As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly. (The ego mind is automatic and repetitive. It does the same thing over and over again. Thinks the same thoughts. Most of these thoughts are foolish but we go back to them and hash them over and over to no avail).
12: Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him. (If you think you are All That and think you have all the answers, you are even worse than a fool).
For example, in Proverbs 9:13—”A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.”
In general, the fools in proverbs a divided into the categories of:
- Simple: Only seeing the surface of things without much reason, knowledge or understanding.
- Silly: There is no substance to them and they are easily taken off course if they have one.
- Scorning/scoffing wisdom and the wise.
- Persistent in clinging to their folly and returning to it over and over again.
- Running their mouths without reflecting on what they say and ignoring intelligence, depth, and wisdom.
Here are some verses to illustrate:
Proverbs 1:7 - . . . .fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 10:14 - Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.
Proverbs 18:2 - A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (This means he only wants to get his point of view across and is not interested in hearing others).
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.
These are all from Proverbs 26:
3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. (This is a little harsh but hints that we must deal strongly with the undisciplined ego-mind and put it in its place or it will ride us).
4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (This is a great reminder not to get down into the slime and mud with someone who is immersed in their ego-minds. Otherwise, we will be fools too and be reduced to their level).
5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Again, do not lower yourself by disputing or arguing with him; he will not understand your meaning, and will think he has got the better of you, and maybe insult you too).
6: He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage. (Don’t think you can trust the foolish ego mind. It will lead you down the path of destruction every time).
7: The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. (Even fools can spout wisdom, but they are only mouthing the words because they sound good at the moment. They don’t really get it).
8: As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honor to a fool. (If you try to be nice to the ego mind and cajole it along in its folly, you are taking yourself down).
9: [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. (Wise sayings are a mockery when a fool, who does not live them, spouts them out of his mouth).
10: The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. (Even if you are a fool and completely off base, the Universe, in its eternal love, will treat you as fairly as anyone else, including people who do hurtful and harmful things).
11: As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly. (The ego mind is automatic and repetitive. It does the same thing over and over again. Thinks the same thoughts. Most of these thoughts are foolish but we go back to them and hash them over and over to no avail).
12: Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him. (If you think you are All That and think you have all the answers, you are even worse than a fool).
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