As I said in an earlier post, I have recently been reading through the book of Proverbs. This book is intended to show how God’s people can avoid peril and enjoy life by living in the way God intended. A key term in this book is “Wisdom.” Below I have picked up where I last left off and have listed some truths about and characteristics of godly wisdom. I have also included Scripture references from the book.

A wise person has discernment.
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way. Proverbs 14:8

A wise person does not rely solely on intuition.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12

A wise person uses critical judgment.
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15

A wise person is cautious.
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16

A wise person has self-control.
A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. Proverbs 14:17

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

A wise person is generous.
Blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Proverbs 14:31

A wise person speaks softly.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

A wise person welcomes reproof.
Whoever heeds reproof is prudent. Proverbs 15:5

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Proverbs 15:32

A wise person shares knowledge.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge. Proverbs 15:7

A wise person seeks council.
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

A wise person earns an honest living.
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

A wise person weighs matters carefully before giving advice.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

Wisdom is better than worldly wealth.
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16

There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15

A wise person is humble.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19

One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

A wise person improves with experience.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3

A wise person is teachable.
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:10

Listen to advise and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20

Reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. Proverbs 19:25

A wise person listens before speaking.
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13

A wise person values integrity.
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1

A wise person is generous.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

A wise person fears the Lord.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. Proverbs 19:23

A wise person is not controlled by substances.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Human wisdom does not compare to God’s.
No wisdom, no understanding, no council can avail against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

A wise person desires a good reputation more than high social status.
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

A wise person does not accrue debt.
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7

A wise person does not withhold discipline from his/her child.
Do not withhold discipline from a child. Proverbs 23:13

A wise person does not envy sinners.
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 24:19-20

A wise person chooses friends carefully.
Hear my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards, or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:19-21

A wise person does not give false witness.
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Proverbs 24:28

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. Proverbs 25:18

A wise person does not seek revenge.
Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.’ Proverbs 24:29

A wise person humbles himself/herself and is then exalted.
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ’Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. Proverbs 25:6-7

A wise person does not rush to judgment and seek justice in haste.
Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Proverbs 25:8

A wise person shows love toward his/her enemy.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink…and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

A wise person learns from his mistakes.
Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

A wise person understands that time is precious.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

A wise person interacts with others of the same character.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

A wise person confesses and forsakes sin and finds mercy.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13.

A wise person trusts in the Lord.
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26.