The Proverbs Project - Chapter 9

Chapter 9.

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom and a Warning against Folly.  

Wisdom is a woman.
Ruin is an adulterous or wicked woman. 
Folly is a simple woman.  The Simple Woman is of kind heart yet erroneous judgement.  She calls out to those who are Un-Wise with her simple and misguided pleasures.  She will lead all those who follow towards laggardness.  

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom are alluded to, but not identified.  I take the ambiguity as a challenge to extract these pillars from the whole of Solomon's text and revisit this passage at the end of the Proverbs Project.  

We ignore the Fools and embrace the Wise:
"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults.  
Whoever rebukes the wicked incurs Abuse."
RATHER
"Instruct the Wise and they will become Wiser, 
Teach the righteous and they will add to their learning."

First,  We defend the good and unequivocally stand up the right.  
Second,  Jim Collins tell us to get the right people in the right seats on the bus.  When we identify mockery or wickedness we coach, we correct, then we move on.  The Donkeys are remanded to the pasture.  We don't give up on people.  We do, however, put the needs of the organization and the needs of our own growth at the forefront.  We train those who show Wisdom and Promise.  We teach those who exhibit Goodness and Right.  We empower those aligned with the the Vision.  And, we promote Wisdom and Humility in the system. 

When we acknowledge or even embrace the Bray of the Fool we are not exhibiting Wisdom. The Wise will not Wrestle with Pigs.  The Wise will not Argue with Donkeys.  The focus of the Wise must remain on those following the "right" path. ​