Pride only breeds quarrels,

but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Prov 13:10

He who walks with the wise grows wise,

but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov 13:20

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death. Prov 14:12

A mocker resents correction;

he will not consult the wise. Prov 15:12

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the LORD. Prov 21:30

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. Prov 25:12

A factory manager’s assembly line was down, so he summoned a consultant to suggest remedies. After inspecting a huge piece of machinery, the consultant produced a small hammer, reached between some gears, and gave a small tap.
The assembly line worked again, and the factory manager got a bill for $10,000. Aghast, the manager demanded another bill itemizing the charges. When it came, the second bill read:

Tapping with hammer: $5.00

Knowing where to tap: $9,995.00

Wisdom is "knowing where to tap." When we need some tapping done, we’ll do it ourselves if we’re wise enough; otherwise we’ll need someone who knows where to tap. The book of Proverbs points us in both directions—by showing us "where to tap" in many areas of life, and by helping us seek out those who understand what we cannot yet perceive. The proverbs not only show us wisdom, they show us how to seek wisdom. The proverbs in this study will equip you for your own unique search.

1. In Proverbs to seek wisdom is to seek skill. What specific types of skill would you like to acquire in your work or in your relationships?

2. Read the proverbs above. We often say that someone is "street smart," meaning that the person has become "shrewd through enrollment in the School of Hard Knocks." Which proverbs show that wisdom is gained through experience?

3. Can we get wisdom without the "hard knocks"? Defend your answer from the proverbs themselves.

4. In Solomon’s day, the wisdom of Proverbs was probably taught in two places—the home and wisdom schools. Today the "wisdom school" takes many forms, from apprenticeships in trade unions to enrollment in universities. Using the proverbs above as a guide, what would you look for when trying to select such a school?

5. Of course, formal schooling isn’t the only way to get wisdom. Think of a person within your circle of acquaintances who has wisdom which you do not have. How would you describe his or her area of wisdom?

6. What specific steps might you take to acquire the wisdom from that wise man or woman?

7. Why do you think there is often such a huge gulf between what seems right to us and what is truly wise (Prov 14:12)?

8. Proverbs 21:30 assures us that certain advice will come to nothing. How can you know if the advice you’ve gotten is of that kind?

9. Think of various kinds of "how to" books being sold today. Which ones do you think might fail because of Proverbs 21:30?

10. Wanting wisdom isn’t enough. To get it we must be able to receive it. From each of the proverbs in this study, suggest a character weakness which hinders a person from becoming wise—one character weakness per proverb.

11. At the beginning of the study, you named areas in which you need wisdom. What can you do in the week ahead to begin acquiring it?