Proverbs 11:14

Hebrew Bible

12 The one who denounces his neighbor lacks sense, but a discerning person keeps silent. 13 The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets, but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 14 When there is no guidance a nation falls, but there is success in the abundance of counselors. 15 The one who has put up security for a stranger will surely have trouble, but whoever avoids shaking hands is secure. 16 A generous woman gains honor, and ruthless men seize wealth.

Wisdom of Solomon 6:24

Deuterocanon

22 I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation, and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth; 23 nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom. 24 The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world, and a sensible king is the stability of any people. 25 Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

 Notes and References

"... The sage will thus enjoy repute among the masses and honor among the elders, in spite of youth (Wisdom of Solomon 8:10). Admired and honored by rulers, who will seek the sage's advice, the sage will, in fact, join their ranks as governor of peoples and nations (Wisdom of Solomon 8:11-12, 14; 6:20; 10:14). The sage will secure wealth and great renown, will be courageous in war, and will exercise the mastery of elocutionary skill (Wisdom of Solomon 8:6, 12, 15:18). Realizing that wisdom is an inexhaustible for humanity, the sage will freely and unstintingly share it with others (Wisdom of Solomon 6:23, 'The sage is the stability of the people, and in the ensemble such individuals constitute the salvation of the world' (Wisdom of Solomon 6:24; compare 9:18). Finally, becoming a friend and prophet of God and learning the divine pleasure, the sage will have rest, cheer, and joy, and above all the supernatural gift of immortality (Wisdom of Solomon 7:14, 8:16) short, occupying the highest rungs of society, the sage will be a leader both at home and abroad, exercising compassion and humanity (Wisdom of Solomon 12:19; compare 1:6, 7:23), and administering the world in holiness and righteousness (Wisdom of Solomon 9:3). A brief comparison with several Jewish writings that exhibit an emphasis on wisdom similar to that in this book will help illuminate the latter's distinctive character. Aside from the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ben Sira, which have clearly influenced this author's portrayal of Wisdom as a female cosmic figure, another important source of inspiration for him was the strong emphasis on wisdom in 1 Enoch, although that book's insistence on wisdom's supernatural character has been adapted by him to a Platonist philosophical perspective ..."

Winston, David "The Sage as Mystic in the Wisdom of Solomon" in Gammie, John G., and Leo G. Perdue (eds.) The Sage in Israel and the Ancient Near East (pp. 383-398) Eisenbrauns, 1990

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