It is better to listen and understand than to speak foolishly. Those that aim to correct you, would ordinarily do so out of a love or just downright decency. The wicked would never attempt to correct you. If you cannot accept culpability in mistakes, how can you possibly ever learn? Stubbornness is a dangerous thing, over time people cease caring and leave you to your own devices. 

Po Vodam - Christ walks on water, Matt 14: 22-33

On Righteousness Proverbs 12:4-28

The theme of what one utters as a sign of wisdom or foolishness is critical to your success or failure. If you learn one thing, and one thing only from this book, let it be this: be very careful what you utter, whom you utter it to, and why you do so.  

Even with your nearest and dearest, weigh your words. If it is unnecessary to speak, do not do so. Learn to absorb personal insults quietly. Bear it, this calls for both strength and wisdom.  

The same strength that you use in keeping quiet, is the same one you exercise in absorbing an insult. The other party has shown their hand, why show yours? Ignore it for now and think about it at the appropriate time. At least you will know the other's true intentions towards you. 

On being guarded Proverbs 13:1-6 

Again, thoughts on keeping silent and only speaking judiciously. It is a sure way to progress and wealth. You learn to listen and learn when to speak and whom to speak it to. The ego is removed from the equation, thus speaking only when necessary. Hard work is good and wisdom suggests that it will be rewarded. 

In the modern world, there is much knowledge, but very little learning and listening. Working hard is all well and good, but how does one work hard without knowing what to work hard at? This is where listening becomes important. Listening here is extended to learning (formally and informally) as well as logically thinking things through. If you are constantly talking, out of ego, pride, or just foolishness, how will you ever think things through and see the bigger picture? 

On fake living Proverbs 13:7

What is the bling culture? What is consumerism? It’s all about me, even if I can’t afford it, and the vast majority cannot. It’s all about superficiality, all being driven by pride and envy of each other. 

On Prudence and wealth Proverbs 13:8-20 

Wealth is a gift and should be used as a gift to make light the difficulties of others. To love your neighbour as yourself. The commandments are life, summarized in the love of God and neighbour. You want to know the kind of person somebody is. Look for these two qualities in how they relate to all human beings starting with those closest to them. Don’t suffer fools by walking with them. Seek the wise and spend as much time with them as possible. If you cannot find wise people close by, you always have the internet, YouTube, and the like. 

On misfortune Proverbs 13:21-23

Woe unto you, if you take from the poor and place it on your plate. You fool, did you not know that a poor man's prayers are answered fastest? From one who steals from the poor, stay very far away, lest you get infected with his evil. I imagine that sin and its effects work along the following lines; this is merely conjecture- A person steals, say from a government department involved with health. Due to the theft, the department is unable to procure drugs for a particular region, and as a consequence, 100 people die. These 100, leave their dependents destitute, and these end up in a life of crime. The continual spiral downwards, starting with the deaths, and the personal sins of those left behind, all flow back to that act of theft. You will be judged for your sins, the deaths, and the sins of the many who acted as they did due to your one single act. 

I have tried to demonstrate just one act. Now imagine a lifetime of acts such as those and what you will have to contend with on your demise. Pray for mercy. If this does not frighten you, I don’t know what will. 

On children Proverbs 13:24-25 

We are commanded to love our neighbors as we do ourselves. This command applies to our husbands, wives, children, and all of humanity, but especially to our nearest and dearest. In my days as a child, a thrashing was expected at any time "spare the rod and spoil the child" was a common mantra. While I agree with it, I don’t advocate much for corporal punishment. In today’s world, our best immediate guides to the world that has snares everywhere, are the parents. They must make it possible for the children to trust them implicitly before they trust a stranger, the internet, and the world in general. Yes punish, but let the punishments be understood and reasonable. Beyond the age of reason, any beating should immediately stop. This is about 8 years old. After this, it’s a discussion with a carrot and stick approach. Our children should never fear us, there is much more to fear in the world.

On fools Proverbs 14:1-6  

Foolishness is a failure to observe the commandments of God. This leads to a compass regulated by the dictates of men, which generally tend to be self-serving. Being led by men means listening to no one but yourself. 

Relying on your efforts to forge ahead, always remember the gifts you have belong to Him who gave them to you. 

To arouse the goodwill of men, they must truly believe that you think of them as brothers; neighborly love is what our Lord spoke of. Nothing in society will forge ahead properly without it. 

On temperament Proverbs 14:7-19 

Do not wear your temperament or thoughts directly on your sleeve. In everything observe, take in and arrive at a decision. If you are insulted, accept it for the time being, and don’t blurt out in annoyance or defence; why expose yourself? The person has shown you his measure, why reciprocate? 

Of the poor, the rich and toil Proverbs 14:20-24

The way of the world is to place the rich on a pedestal and ignore the rest. This is not the way of Christ, who has taught us about heavenly treasure and the second commandment on a neighbor. Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and is deserving of dignity. Carry this with you at all times, and you will be at peace. 

Be careful of building castles in the air. The English saying, "if wishes are horses even beggars would ride" has much relevance here. Concern yourself with what is probable and begin. 

On the fear of God Proverbs 14:25-27 

What is the fear of God? To obey the commandments, namely a love of God and a Love of neighbor. Dare I say that doing the latter, automatically takes care of the former? And what is a love of neighbour? To actively will the good of all others even at your own expense. How can there be love if there is no cost to you? 

On tranquility, wisdom and righteousness Proverbs 14:28-35 

A tranquil mind naturally comes from following the commandments. If you are at ease with your maker, you shall be at ease with the world. Anger is a sign of pride. Pride is disregarding the merits and ills of your neighbor and arrogating to yourself, a sense of superiority. Are you not a man, reliant on God for mercy, and being no more than dust and ashes? How dare you be proud and arrogant? Never forget that we are all condemned to share the earth with worms, mighty and normal alike. 

Is the worth of a man limited to what he has? There is a church teaching that says, everything that we have, beyond the needs of propriety, belongs to the poor. It’s a hard thing for someone who clings to wealth like it’s a god, but for one that sees everything as belonging to God, then it is easy. We cannot carry anything physical with us when we leave the earth, but we can certainly carry the spiritual benefits of helping all those that we can while we are here. The help is rendered due to the gifts that the almighty has granted us. It is His due. How dare you look down on flesh and earth, and you are no more than the same. The gifts you have come from on high, do you not realize that you are being tested? He gave them to you, and He can take them back. 

The rise and fall of nations is a divine prerogative. The economy of the spiritual rewards righteousness and denigrates wickedness. Simply look down through history, what is wicked does not survive.