“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”—Proverbs 12:15 (13:10; 15:22).
Interpretation.—Men in general are apt to think themselves right (16:2), but “the fool” knows no other standard but his own. And whereas wise men are glad to be “well advised,” and to consult with many, the fool is unwilling even to listen to counsel, and invariably prefers his own way.
Illustrations.—Lot’s sons-in-law were lost through not heeding counsel, and Rehoboam forfeited ten parts of his kingdom through listening only to fools like himself. Israel, after the time of Joshua, brought judgments upon their own head by persisting in “their stubborn way” (Judg. 2:19), and added to their iniquities against the advice of their prophet by asking a king—to their national hurt, as it turned out. Moses, on the contrary, “in the meekness of wisdom,” adopted Jethro’s advice for the judging of the people. David escaped a crime by giving ear to the sage counsel of Abigail. Nathanael not too proud to take a hint, and Apollos willing to learn more of those who could teach, both proved themselves to be no fools, and became “wise unto salvation.”
Application.—The character of folly (as Solomon paints it) is a proud, high-minded self-sufficiency, which disdains all admonition, brooks no control, and deems its own plans ever and certainly the best. Wisdom, on the contrary, is characterized by a self-diffident and humble spirit, that seeks guidance, covets instruction, and is ready to yield to good counsel at the hand of man, and to render entire submission to the will of God. Let me look upon this picture and that, and say which character I admire most and will strive to make my own. Surely, when the Lord pointed to a little child, He commended that deference to others which for a time (alas! only for a time) characterizes the very young. Doubtless, I must often act upon my own judgment after all, but let me be “well advised” first. Wisdom is got by hearkening to good counsel, for none is born to it (Job 11:12). Let me love those who advise, rather than those who praise me. Let me distrust to begin with advice which exactly chimes in with my own inclinations. The first step to knowledge is to know that we are ignorant, and right conclusions can only be based upon sound knowledge. Hence the wise take advice, while fools only give it. For he who knows nothing doubts nothing. If ever a fool become wise, he will begin to receive advice.
God grant that I be not of the number of the “proud, knowing nothing”!
Pearson, C. R. (1880). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 1, p. 59). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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