The fool and the wise man

Proverbs 29:11 (LB)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Let’s contrast the Biblical descriptions of the fool and the wise man. 

The Fool

There are several Hebrew and Greek words that are translated into English as “fool(s)”.  They all mean “silly”, “stupid”, “perverse”, “vile” and/or “reckless”.  The biblical fool is one who lacks good moral sense, e.g. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1 and 53:1).  Solomon used various words for fool or fools over 80 times in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  Fools are those who show their emptiness, conceit, pride, and excessive wordiness (e.g. read Ecclesiastes 5:3 and 10:14).  The word Jesus used most often for fool or foolish was “moros” (e.g. Matthew 5:22, Matthew 23:17,19; Matthew 25:2, 3, 8).  Fool is used to describe someone who is “despises wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).  Basically, fool or foolish in the Bible means someone who is spiritually blind.  

The Hebrew word for fool in this passage is literally to be silly and stupid.  So, anytime that you lose your temper, when you say words and show actions of anger, you are being a fool—silly and stupid--in the eyes of God (and, it should be added, to others).  Look up this website for some interesting depth about the Biblical definition of a fool--http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=618 .   

The Wise Man

The word for “wise” in this verse literally means “intelligent” or “skillful”. The New English Bible translation describes the wise man as one who waits and lets his anger grow cool.  If you compare a person who loses his temper all the time with a person who keeps his cool, which one is viewed as the more intelligent?   Who is admired more…..the fool who loses his temper or the wise man who does not?  An interesting illustration---which basketball coach was/is admired more as a person---the hot-tempered Bob Knight or the calm and cool John Wooden?  The wise man looks at life from God’s point of view.  Wisdom is associated with the reverence of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).  Proverbs 1:2-5 contains the five faces of wisdom that the wise man demonstrates—self-discipline, understanding, wise relationships, planning, and learning.  The wise man shows gentleness (James 3:13); proper speech (Proverbs 10:31); and self-control (Proverbs 19:11).  St. Augustine’s quote: “patience is the companion of wisdom”. 

Examine yourself, as Paul exhorts you to do in II Corinthians 13:5.  Are you the fool or the wise (wo)man?  Do you ever lose your temper and/or lose control of yourself?  You need to start right here by asking the Lord for forgiveness and for help that you can resolve from now forward to control your anger.