Proverbs 19:20 - Exposition

(Comp. Proverbs 8:10 ; Proverbs 12:15 .) The Septuagint directs the maxim to children, "Hear, O son, the instruction of thy father." That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Wisdom gathered and digested in youth is seen in the prudence and intelligence of manhood and old age. Job 8:7 , "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase." Ecclesiasticus 25:6, "O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour! Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory." "Wer nicht horen will," say the Germans, "muss fuhlen," "He that will not hear must feel." Among Pythagoras's golden words we read—

βουλεύου δὲ πρὸ ἔργου ὅπως μὴ μῶρα τέληται .

"Before thou doest aught, deliberate,

Lest folly thee befall."