The Proverbs is a compilation of didactic poetry to teach wisdom directed to the young and inexperienced and to those who desire advanced training in wisdom. The first two-thirds of the book offer numerous purely secular advices around counsel, training, knowledge and wisdom. I believe different authors wrote the later chapters. My non-scientific research entailed keyword searches on “Wisdom” and “Knowledge”, which had 48 “Wisdom” hits and 36 “Knowledge” hits. Dozen more hits were plausible with terms like “Wise”, “Intelligence”, and “Counsel”. The following are a key versus that stood out as applicable within knowledge intense organizations. The versus are copied so grammatically they are not accurate to today’s writing standards. As you read through them, ponder on their applicability to knowledge repositories, tacit experiences from your corporations’ knowledge experts, and general collaboration & forums with corporate expertise.
1:5
A wise man by hearing them will advance in learning, an intelligent man will gain sound guidance
1:30
They ignored my counsel, they spurned all my reproof; And in their arrogance they preferred arrogance, and like fools they hated knowledge
2:10-11
For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you
3:13-17
Happy the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding! For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue; She is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor; Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
4:5-13
Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter. Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you." Receive my words, and the years of your life shall be many. On the way of wisdom I direct you, I lead you on straightforward paths. When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble. Hold fast to instruction, never let her go; keep her, for she is your life
5:1-2
My son, to my wisdom be attentive, to my knowledge incline your ear, that discretion may watch over you, and understanding may guard you
8:9-12
All of them are plain to the man of intelligence, and right to those who attain knowledge. Receive my instruction in preference to silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. (For Wisdom is better than corals, and no choice possessions can compare with her.) "I, Wisdom, dwell with experience, and judicious knowledge I attain
8:32-33
listen to me; instruction and wisdom do not reject!
9:12
If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.
10:14
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool is imminent ruin
12:1
He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid
13:10,20
But with those who take counsel is wisdom. Walk with wise men and you will become wise, but the companion of fools will fare badly
14:6,8
The senseless man seeks in vain for wisdom, but knowledge is easy to the man of intelligence. The shrewd man's wisdom gives him knowledge of his way, but the folly of fools is their deception
15:2,7,14
The tongue of the wise pours out knowledge. The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge. The mind of the intelligent man seeks knowledge
15:22
Plans fail when there is no counsel, but they succeed when counselors are many
15:31-32
He who listens to salutary reproof will abide among the wise. He who rejects admonition despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gains understanding
16:21-23
The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing speech increases his persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but folly brings chastisement on fools. The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips
17:24
The man of intelligence fixes his gaze on wisdom
18:15
The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge
19:2,20
Without knowledge even zeal is not good; and he who acts hastily, blunders. Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise
20:18
Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war
21:11
When the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge
22:20-21
With counsels and knowledge, to teach you truly how to give a dependable report to one who sends you
23:12,23
Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge. Get the truth, and sell it not-- wisdom, instruction and understanding
24:5-6
A wise man is more powerful than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than a man of might; For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the victory is due to a wealth of counselors
26:12
You see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is safe
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