Wisdom Contrasted with Folly.
THE BANQUET OF WISDOM. — V. 7. He that reproveth a scorner, trying to correct him, getteth to himself shame, his efforts are met with insults and mocking rejection, and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot, that is, his labor of love has the reward of bringing him into discredit with men, of heaping disgrace upon him. V. 8. Reprove not a scorner, the warning being not to attempt instruction and correction while the scorner is in his mood of opposition, lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee, his willingness to accept a deserved correction showing the soundness of his wisdom. Only a fool is always in the right; a wise man knows that to err is human. V. 9. Give instruction to a wise man, for he is willing to learn, and every correction serves for his further training, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, showing him how he may make still further progress in righteousness of life, and he will increase in learning, he will add to his store of knowledge and make proper use of it.