Proverbs 12:1-16: a reflection

1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans. 3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 7The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised. 9Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread. 10A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. 12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble. 14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him. 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel. 16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

This collection of proverbs opens with a blunt contrast about how we respond to correction: Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. The wise person, the one who loves knowledge and would grow, welcomes correction, even loves it, because correction shows him where he is wrong and helps him grow. But the one who hates reproof, who resents being corrected, is called stupid, for in refusing correction he refuses the very thing that would make him wiser. Loving correction is a mark of the one who would grow in wisdom.

Notice the contrast: loving correction versus hating reproof. The one who loves knowledge welcomes correction, even loves it, because he wants to grow, and correction shows him where he needs to; he does not resent being shown his faults, but values it. The one who hates reproof resents correction, refuses to be shown his faults, and so cannot grow; and this, the proverb bluntly says, is stupid. To welcome correction is wise, for it is the path to growth; to resent it is folly, for it refuses the path. The wise love correction; the foolish hate it.

That contrast is worth taking to heart, for our response to correction reveals whether we would truly grow. We can resent correction, taking offense at being shown our faults, defending ourselves, refusing to be corrected; but this refuses the very thing that would make us wiser and better. The one who would grow welcomes correction, even loves it, valuing what it shows him. Do not resent correction or take offense at being shown your faults; welcome it, even love it, as the path to growth, for whoever loves correction loves knowledge. When you are corrected, receive it gladly rather than resenting it, valuing what it shows you and letting it make you wiser, as the one who loves correction loves knowledge, while the one who hates reproof refuses the very thing that would help him grow; be the kind who welcomes correction, and so grows in wisdom.

Lord, this collection of proverbs opens with a blunt contrast about how we respond to correction: whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. The wise person, the one who would grow, welcomes correction, even loves it, because correction shows him where he is wrong and helps him grow. But the one who hates reproof, who resents being corrected, is called stupid, for in refusing correction he refuses the very thing that would make him wiser. Show me the contrast: loving correction versus hating reproof. The one who loves knowledge welcomes correction, because he wants to grow; he does not resent being shown his faults, but values it. The one who hates reproof resents correction, and so cannot grow. To welcome correction is wise; to resent it is folly. Take that contrast to my heart, for my response to correction reveals whether I would truly grow. I can resent correction, taking offense at being shown my faults, defending myself, refusing to be corrected; but this refuses the very thing that would make me wiser. The one who would grow welcomes correction, even loves it. Keep me from resenting correction or taking offense at being shown my faults; help me welcome it, even love it, as the path to growth. When I am corrected, help me receive it gladly rather than resenting it, Lord, valuing what it shows me and letting it make me wiser; help me be the kind who welcomes correction, and so grows in wisdom.