Postings on Proverbs 12:23

"A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly" (ESV)

I have a few questions as I get started: It can't be that the first man conceals all knowledge, so what kind of knowledge is he concealing and what circumstance is he concealing it? Is the 'knowledge' being spoken of parallel to folly, so that he's actually concealing wisdom from people? If so, why would anyone do that? Why does it seem like in the first line he's concealing what he should be proclaiming, and in the second he's proclaiming what he should be concealing?

Who? The prudent vs. The fool
What? Conceals knowledge vs. Proclaims folly
Where? Anywhere
When? Anytime
Why? ???
How? ???

I definitely don't want to be found in line 2, but I'm confused as to why I'd want to be in line 1. Why does it make one prudent to conceal knowledge, especially if that knowledge is God's wisdom?

Well, there are times to stay quiet and conceal knowledge (see Matt 7:6), so maybe this proverb is assuming one of those situations. This person "is not driven neurotically by pride to parade his knowledge.... He has the self-control to wait for the right situation and the prudence to know when to speak up. ... The verse does not mean that he hides his knowledge from those who seek it; rather, he hides it from fools who have no ears to hear it" (cf. 3:7; 10:14a; 11:13; cf. Matt 7:6)" (Waltke 539).

Oh, how the fool doesn't get this! They have no mouth-control. They can't help but display their lack of knowledge, and the sad thing is, they have no idea how "stupid" (Longman 278) they are and no idea how stupid other people think they are as a result of simply opening their mouth.

I found this interesting, "the heart" is substituted for the mouth in this proverb, confirming again the wisdom of Jesus' words, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt 12:34).

With this in mind, the fool's words are idiotic, and his heart motivation probably revolves around wanting to be esteemed, which is pride. So, in a desire to be esteemed, he blurts out moronic nonsense, so instead of being esteemed he disgraces himself.

What do your words say about you? What do your words say about your desires? Do you waste your time trying to convince fools of wisdom they keep disregarding? Do you find yourself saying the right thing at the wrong times?

I hope that helps! Truth is Immortal!!!