Proverbs chapter 13

vs 1

The whole being able to learn thing is an important part of wisdom. Accepting rebukes is an interestingly different take on previous proverbs. Correction is one thing, but accepting rebuke as well is important - because discipline often comes as rebuke, and for children especially it's important to be able to accept it.

vs 2

So if you speak well, you'll enjoy good things. Not that you're a good preacher or whatever, I don't think that's what it's saying. Just more that the things you say are appropriate. Whereas the unfaithful would rather have violence, and violence isn't really enjoyable, even if you're on the giving end.

vs 3

So much focus on how dangerous the mouth can be. A matter of life and death even.

vs 4

That's a novel observation. I guess you never get anything through laziness... perhaps even rest isn't achieved, although that seems a little odd.

vs 5

Quite descriptive language. Do we always hate falsity? Sometimes there is pleasure in ignorance, or in lies. But the fact is that untruth is a shame, and we lessen ourselves with it. That doesn't mean we can't just keep our mouths shut sometumes, but that's another proverb.

vs 6

We don't often think of righteousness as protective, but we very regularly think of the opposite - that wickedness overthrows. Interesting to think about righteousness more pro-actively.

vs 7

I think this proverb is saying that money isn't everything. To be honest though, I don't know how clear that is. Perhaps it's saying that it's better to be rich than look rich.

vs 8

So that's one situation where wealth is better than poverty.

vs 9

Generally, anyway, and eternally definitely. I mean, it doesn't matter whether you're talking about being remembered, or seen, or liked - sometimes all these happen to the wicked.

vs 10

Pride is often the cause of problems. It's an interesting idea that our pride can get us into trouble. Pride is so highly valued in our society today, to say it's wrong is countercultural.

vs 11

It's funny that there are so few stories of someone making the 'big score' and living happily on their wealth forever. It would seem that mercantile trade that is at least semi-honest lasts the distance.

vs 12

What's the lesson here, just to know that this is true, and be prepared for disappointment? Is it to try and grab hold of hopes so that they can be fulfilled? Is it to try and fulfil the hopes of others? I don't know.

vs 13

Very true. So often we meet learning hand in hand with authority. Sometimes you've got to take the interesting lessons with the dry.