Text Proverbs 17:10 “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”

“You can’t tell me anything!” That’s true; not because you’re smart, but because you’re stupid! This is the truth magnified in Proverbs 17:10. A wise man responds better to scolding than a fool to suffering! The word “reproof” means a rebuke and comes from a word meaning to chide or scold. The word “entereth” means to sink, descend, enter, settle or stick fast. While a wise man does not glory in the rebuking and scolding process, he does not turn his back to it. He allows the truth to settle in and begins the mental process of distinguishing the good from the bad, thus causing him to understand. His understanding yields discernment and the discernment alters his character. While his pride may have been wounded, his character has been magnified! Not so with the fool! He is unmoved by wounds or warnings! The word “stripes” means to strike, beat, smite or to give wounds. The word “fool” has reference to one that is stupid or silly. The thing to be noted about the wounding is the number and the nature of the wounds. When the Scriptures use the phrase “an hundred stripes”; I think the implication is “endless” or “continual” stripes! Secondly, the nature of the wounds is self-inflected. Often the fool is not suffering as a result of his good, but his sin; unexpected pregnancy, drug addiction, Aids, or the loss of a limb in an alcohol related accident. The fool attributes these wounds to bad luck or as the fault of others! Blow after blow the body is buffeted, but the fool is unmoved in the path of self-destruction; not because he is smart, but stupid! Will you be turned by a word or tormented by the wounds?