"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself."
Proverbs 18:2
Part 2
Yesterday: A Fool has no Time for Wisdom and Understanding
“A fool.”
“Hath no delight in understanding.”
A fool doesn’t appreciate or want advice from anyone, he thinks!
Today: The Words of a Fool
“But that his heart may discover itself.”
It is no surprise that a fool’s words often will get him in trouble. He stirs up people’s anger by what he says.
“Fools say things to start arguments. They are just asking for a beating” (Proverbs 18:6, HSB).[1]
But in the long run, their own words will bring damage to them.
“Fools hurt themselves when they speak. Their own words trap them” (Proverbs 18:7, HSB).[2]
Remember, the fool has rejected any kind of teaching from others, but as our verse tells us, they love to spout their own foolishness for everyone to hear. They must love the sound of their own voice.
“Fools don’t want to learn from others. They only want to tell their own ideas” (Proverbs 18:2, HSB).[3]
It is not hard to know what is in a fool’s heart, for he gushes out words like a geyser. And “the tongue is the dipstick of the heart!”[4] (Herron).
When Solomon speaks of the fool’s heart, he does not mean his “blood-pumper.”
“Heart”
The heart in proverbs is speaking to our “inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding….” It is our “thinking, reflection,” and “memory….” The person’s “heart” is where “the will” is. Our “inclination, resolution,” and “determination (of will)” is in our hearts. It may even refer to the “conscience,” the “seat of appetites,… seat of emotions and passions,” and even the “seat of courage”[5] (BDB). We can see how the heart is the place where we make all of our decisions and choices. No wonder Solomon tells us to,
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
The godly wise man understands he is deficient in some areas, and he is willing to work on these faults by doing what is necessary to grow in correcting these (see K&D). But not the fool!
“The inclination of the fool” is not to go …” after … intelligence, but”… from “his heart,” with the … “understanding which he thinks that he already possesses, may … show itself publicly. He thinks” he is showing … “his true greatness and”… is giving “a weighty service to the world.”… The [talkativeness] “of the fool” is “proceeding from” his “self-satisfaction,” but “without self-knowledge.”… He “has already, … and often, been reprimanded”[6] (K&D).
“A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).
“May Discover itself.”
The foolish person will show anyone who will listen to them the contents of their heart. There are many meanings to the word “discover” in Proverbs. For our use in this verse, the general idea of the word is “to uncover, … to make known, show, reveal”[7] (BDB). This characteristic the fool shares with a “talebearer.” The talebearer loves the sin of sharing other’s secrets. For some reason, they believe this makes them gain stature in people’s eyes. And that also is what a fool is about.
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).
I don’t know why you would want to, but if you listen to a fool, he or she will reveal what’s in their heart the more they talk. They want you to think they have great understanding, but they do not! Do not waste your time.
Believers, let’s guard our hearts and our lips as we ask God for His wisdom so we may know when to speak, how much to say, and how to honor Christ with our words.
Quote: “If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing”[8] (Anatole France).
[1] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries, Guam.
[2] HSB, ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Quote from Marty Herron’s teaching and preaching notes.
[5] Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[6] Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 18:2.
[7] BDB, ibid.
[8] France’s quote Downloaded: Wednesday, May 5, 2021. From: http://www.inspirational-wisdom-quotes.com/quotes/foolish/.