Son,
Mr. T always pitied the fool, simply because the fool did not know what was coming. There are many ways we can be fools in our lives and the easiest way is by choosing to remain foolish.
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." By listening to advice we can use the foolish failures of others to teach us and provide a wiser way through life. The best advice comes in the moments we want to hear it least. While it is hard to accept correction when we are foolish, the best way to avoid remaining a fool is to listen to the wise advice of those around us.
Proverbs 10:8 "The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin." Aim to be wise and you will avoid ruin. Listening more than you talk is the easiest way to gain more wisdom. By listening intently to what the people in our life are advising us on we avoid more foolishness.
Proverbs 10:23 "Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding." While repeating the foolish things we do is the a clear sign of a lack of wisdom, understanding why we make certain decisions and improving on where we make mistakes is the greatest way to advance in wisdom.
Proverbs 17:10 "A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." The ability to accept correction is the sign of a wise man. Admitting when you've made a mistake and humbly accepting your faults when you are called on the carpet is the start of gaining wisdom. Don't be the fool who is corrected multiple times just to ignore them.
Proverbs 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." This goes back to listening more than you speak. In order to truly understand those around us we have to listen to the things they say and what the mean by them. A great deal of knowledge comes from listening to others speak and understanding what they mean and asking when we don't.
Proverbs 23:9 "Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words." Be the man that listens to the good sense of those around him, no one enjoys the fool who can't accept good advice.
Proverbs 26:12 "Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." All wisdom comes from God and your wisdom and abilities come from him. Never feel like you have learned all you need to learn, throughout your whole life you will learn more and more. 1 Corinthians 3:18
"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." There is no better way to be wise then to realize your are not as wise as you could be. The easiest way to avoid feeling like you know it all is by having people around you who know more than you and have wisdom that stretches beyond yours.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 "The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him." Choose your words and your friends with wisdom. The more you speak with humble wisdom the greater influence you will have and others will have a higher respect for you. Over all just don't be a fool. Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Remember that the Lord is holy and he does not ask you to respect him but fear him to start on the path to wisdom. Start there and you will have all the wisdom you could ever ask for.
Love ya,
Dad
