Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
These verses were brought to mind as I observed the actions of a fool while sitting in my eye doctor’s waiting room.
A fortyish man wore a printed tee shirt that was laden with hate speech. An elderly couple could not read what was written and this fool in his folly came over to them so they could read it.
Then he began spreading his hate speech and the husband shut him down quickly.
“I only care about the love of my God and His Son Jesus Christ.”
The fool was stopped dead in his tracks, unable to speak; he could only offer empty hand gestures that clearly indicated he did not understand and had nothing to counter the older man.
It was clear to me in the moment that love defeated hate but the fool had no idea of what happened.
According to Strong’s number G878 foolishness is defined as “want of mental sanity and sobriety, a reckless and inconsiderate habit of mind”. The important issue in this example for me is the one word “inconsiderate”.
Psalm 107:17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
Want of mental sanity is an affliction.