What does it mean in Proverbs 22:3 that a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished?
What is the difference here between a prudent man and a simple man?
Proverbs 22:3
ESV - 3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
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Asked September 15 2017
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Gregory Jones
Supporter
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Emo Tenorio
Supporter
I humbly submit for your consideration; that the prudent man is operating with total situational awareness in relation to his ever changing personal environmental envelope and the simple man is simply not paying attention for whatever foolish reasons. PRUDENT: Careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment. An example: A prudent man walking makes two gentlemen tracking him; having been make, they break off in search of an easier victim. Up ahead he's going to cross a street and directs his attention to the present dangers in doing so; adjusting accordingly to the new threat environment he will soon enter. Mean while a simple man walking is unaware of any approaching dangers, like the two gentlemen who have been tracking him for the last block or so; much less any coming street crossing. Why because he's wearing headphones and is very busy checking the latest silliness on his new iphone and thus becomes someones hood ornament or maybe meets two new friends who are also crazy about that phone? Consider: That the same message contained within (Proverbs 22:3) is repeated again toward the end in (Proverbs 27:12) and this same sort of thing happens again with (Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25) a cosmic heads up [THIS IS IMPORTANT] from the Lord. "Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne "Some life lessons are cheap, while others are not" Jack_ten In The Lord's Freedom and common sense.....warrior on
Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that the point being made here is that it is not always or necessarily the wisest course of action for individuals to proceed or conduct themselves in a headstrong manner without a full appreciation of the risks or hazards that might be involved, or without adequately preparing themselves to deal with them, particularly with respect to heedlessly exposing themselves to danger, or to the temptation to commit sin. In some cases, it may even be wiser to protect oneself by avoiding the situation altogether (that is, hiding oneself from it), rather than to endure the negative physical and/or spiritual consequences that would result from "forging ahead" at all costs. I think that the essence of this passage is captured by the common saying, "Discretion is the better part of valor."
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