Thoughts From Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9: 8

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

I have two observations before we look at vs 8. First I find chapter 9 to be one of the most important in the whole of this writing. Second the contrast of wisdom and folly cannot be over emphasized.

9:8 - I am very conservative politically. I admit that I am just short of being reactionary. I voted for our president and I like much of what he has done. There are too many reasons to name them why his policies which I do not understand, or to which I disagree do not bother me. I'll give you one. I simply do not have the information he has that inform his decisions. My ignorance makes me hesitant to criticize.

Now back to vs 8. What we can see is his reaction to criticism. He appears to take all criticism as a personal attack, or ignores it and fails to get any help he otherwise might have.

His attacks on any who otherwise would be a help, discourages them and inflames his enemies. As is my observation he does not seem to ever receive reproof. The opposite of affection for any reprover is his hatred. Illustration: to call his former Secretary of State dumb and lazy is a certain indicator of his failure to be a just man.