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) 
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