"He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace."
Proverbs 11:12
“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor:”
The foolish man, the man “void of wisdom” is the man who “despises” his neighbor. Solomon will write more about “despising neighbors” again in chapter fourteen.
“He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21).
Besides being foolish, the man who “despises” others is sinning. One way that these kinds of fools sin, is by “disrespecting” those around them, and they have no problem badmouthing their neighbors. His contempt for his neighbor he will make public. He wouldn’t think of trying to conceal his feelings toward others he doesn’t care for. This foolish man, if he thinks it, he will say it.
Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mountain, taught that there are severe consequences to the person who spoke ill of his fellow human beings.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
These people are in danger:
The angry man
The man who says, “raca!” (“you are worthless”)
The man who says to another “you fool!”
Why are these in danger?
1. Jesus said so.
2. They are “looking down on” or “despising” a person who is made by God, in His image (Imago Dei). Simply put, they are insulting the Creator. How foolish!
“But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”
This wise man is careful with his words. Unlike the man “void of wisdom,” he knows when he should not speak, as well as the right times to speak his mind.
“The wise man, if he cannot admire or praise, will at least know how to be silent”1 (Barnes).
“…the man of “wisdom”…, who, whatever he thinks, keeps his thoughts to himself.”2
“A man of understanding, that has rule over his own spirit, if he be provoked, holds his peace, that he may neither give vent to his passion nor kindle the passion of others…”3 (Henry).
Believers, are you being wise with your words? How do you speak of your neighbor?
1. Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
3. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, the electronic version in eSword.