By Pride Comes Nothing But Strife

By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.

Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health.

Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:10-20

Most fights are not about policy and principle, or about right and wrong; they’re almost always about pride. The wise man of Proverbs swings his axe at the root of the problem when he writes: “Pride leads to conflict.” Quarrels are fueled by pride, by needing to be right, by wanting our own way, or by defending our turf or our egos.

Blessed are those who listen to the other person’s point of view; who allow their own ideas to be corrected. This is the wisdom from God that spreads peace wherever it goes.

Humility brings wisdom.

Our Daily Bread – September 12, 2015