1. What is the difference between a wise woman and a foolish woman?
“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1).
* Wise woman that builds the house (Ruth 4:9-12, Proverbs 24:3-4, Proverbs 31:10-31, II Timothy 1:5, and Titus 2:3-5).
* Foolish woman (I Kings 21:25, Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 21:9, and Proverbs 21:19).
2. What is the difference between one who walks in uprightness and one that is perverse in his ways?
“He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him” (Proverbs 14:2).
* Walking in the fear of the Lord to be upright (Deuteronomy 8:6, Deuteronomy 13:4, Job 1:1, Psalms 112:1, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Malachi 2:1-6, Acts 9:31, and Acts 10:34-35).
* Those who do not fear (Jeremiah 44:10), but rather despise God (Malachi 1:6-10 and Luke 10:16).
3. What are some lessons we can learn from Proverbs 14:3?
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them” (Proverbs 14:3).
* The foolish have a rod of pride in the mouths (Proverbs 8:13), which shall be cut off (Psalms 12:3).
- Pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 18:12, Isaiah 2:11-12, James 4:6, and I John 2:16).
* The lips of the wise lead to being preserved (Proverbs 12:6 and Matthew 12:34-37).
4. If one who needed oxen to accomplish work wanted to keep the crib [stall] clean by having no oxen, would they accomplish much work by having no oxen?
No: “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4).
* Don’t get rid of a necessary tool just to keep something clean. Oxen were valuable to get work done in those days (cf. Deuteronomy 22:10).
5. Is every witness always telling the truth?
No: “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies” (Proverbs 14:5).
* We should be faithful witnesses, in that we will NOT lie (I Kings 22:12-14, Proverbs 13:5, Romans 9:1, and Colossians 3:9).
* The only thing you can count on a false witness for is that they will lie (Psalms 35:11, Proverbs 17:4, and I John 2:4).
6. What type of person seeks wisdom, but cannot find it?
A scorner [mocker]: “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth” (Proverbs 14:6).
* Commentary on this: Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 13:1, and Jude 18.
* Knowledge is easy to those who have understanding (Proverbs 17:24, Proverbs 19:25, Proverbs 28:5, and Ephesians 5:17).
7. Should we keep company with those who are foolish?
No: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge” (Proverbs 14:7).
* Proverbs 9:6, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 19:27, Jeremiah 15:17, I Corinthians 15:33, and Ephesians 5:11.
8. Does a prudent, thoughtful individual understand his or her way?
Yes: “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit” (Proverbs 14:8).
* We should have an understanding of “the way” in which we live and walk (Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 15:24).
* The fool has deceived himself / herself into thinking all is well, when it is not (Luke 12:16-21 and James 1:22).
9. Do fools take sin very seriously?
No: “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour” (Proverbs 14:9).
* Job 15:16, Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 10:23, Proverbs 15:21, Proverbs 30:20, and Romans 1:28-32.
10. Are there things we face internally that others cannot meddle in?
Yes: “The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy” (Proverbs 14:10).
* We have internal sorrows at times (Job 10:1, Proverbs 15:13, Jeremiah 8:18, Ezekiel 3:14, John 12:27, and Romans 9:1-3).
* We have internal joy at times (Jeremiah 15:16 and II Corinthians 7:13).
* There are times wherein we might really want to help one facing tough times (Romans 12:15 and Galatians 6:2), but they may have to bear it alone (Luke 9:23, II Corinthians 12:10, and Galatians 6:5).
11. What is the end of the house of the wicked?
“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish” (Proverbs 14:11).
* Proverbs 21:12
12. Is it good to trust in that which seems right?
No: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
* Proverbs 16:25, Proverbs 3:5-7, Proverbs 21:2, Isaiah 5:21, Jeremiah 17:9, Hosea 13:2, II Samuel 7:1-7, and Mark 7:1-9.