Are you wise or foolish?

Did you ever wonder about the difference between wise and foolish people? Foolish people don’t give much thought to the effect their actions have on others. They don’t really think through their decisions, then complain and feel like the world is against them when life doesn’t work out according to their plan. On the other hand, people who have some wisdom understand their actions have repercussions, and usually think before they act. When they make a mistake, they own it, and try to recover.

Wisdom

 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.

Wise people use knowledge when they speak, but fools pour out foolishness.

As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life, but dishonest words crush the spirit.

Wise people use their words to spread knowledge, but there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.

People with understanding want more knowledge, but fools just want more foolishness.

A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son disrespects his mother.

 A person without wisdom enjoys being foolish, but someone with understanding does what is right.

 Plans fail without good advice, but they succeed with the advice of many others.

People enjoy giving good advice. Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.

 Wise people’s lives get better and better. They avoid whatever would cause their death.

Good people think before they answer, but the wicked simply pour out evil.

Good news makes you feel better. Your happiness will show in your eyes.

Respect for the LORD will teach you wisdom. If you want to be honored, you must be humble.

Foolishness

Fools reject their parents’ correction, but anyone who accepts correction is wise.

Those who make fun of wisdom don’t like to be corrected; they will not ask the wise for advice.

If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise.

Those who refuse correction hate themselves, but those who accept correction gain understanding.

People with quick tempers cause trouble, but those who control their tempers stop a quarrel.

A lazy person’s life is like a patch of thorns, but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.

The person who quits doing what is right will be punished (by his own undoing), and the one who hates to be corrected will die (because he doesn’t listen to reason and act carefully).

Greedy people bring trouble to their families, but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.

Much wealth is in the houses of good people, but evil people get nothing but trouble.

Actions and Effects

Happiness makes a person smile, but sadness can break a person’s spirit.

Every day is hard for those who suffer, but a happy heart is like a continual feast. (Therefore, share your happiness with those who suffer; bring cheer and hope to those who are in despair)

It is better to be poor and respect the LORD than to be wealthy and have much trouble.

It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you than to eat meat with those who hate you.

How God views the difference between wise and foolish lives

The LORD knows what is happening in the world of the dead, so he surely knows the thoughts of the living.

The LORD’S eyes see everything; he watches both evil and good people.  

The LORD hates the sacrifice that the wicked offer, but he likes the prayers of honest people.

The LORD hates what evil people do, but he loves those who do what is right.

The LORD will tear down the proud person’s house, but he will protect the widow’s property.

The LORD hates evil thoughts but is pleased with kind words.

The LORD does not listen to the wicked, but he hears the prayers of those who do right.

Proverbs 15:1-33 (NCV)

Are you thinking of suicide

Life can be brutal. I found myself at a crossroads seven years ago. I was very sad; my grandchild has just passed away. My job was stressful, and, no matter what I did, I never seemed to do well enough for my boss. I doubted my ability to be a good enough person. I became lost in a dark and desolate place.

As I sat on the edge of my bed, thinking about ending the confusion, I had a piercing of light. Where I was in my life was very low, I did not think it could get any worse. And I realized that this was a horrible place, about as low as I could feel, so it was not going to get any worse. I realized that as long as I breathed, there was hope of life getting better.

I will not tell you it happened overnight, but I will tell you that my life is so good now, it was worth the pain. And I will tell you that there is a God, and He loves you.

Perhaps you have heard that God so loved the world He sent His only Son into the world to become the graceful reconciliation of God and man. Maybe you think, “Well, God did that for everybody, no especially for me”. But God did do this especially for you.

God sent Jesus because we can never be good enough on our own, no matter how hard we try. Jesus will come along side of you and infuse you with hope. Take another breath, then another. Ask God to help you.

Then call someone and talk to him or her about how you feel. Maybe you do not think you can talk to those who are close to you, and that is okay. There are 24-hour hotlines with people like me who really understand the depth of your despair and pain.

Call 24/7 1-800-273-8255. Someone is waiting to help you.