Proverbs 13:10
By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that pride doesn't just lead to strife; it's often the only ingredient needed to spark it, like dry tinder. The wisdom described isn't about being the smartest person in the room, but rather about being willing to listen to others.
This verse sits in a section of Proverbs contrasting two ways of living: the foolish and the wise. It follows passages about diligence versus laziness, and honesty versus deceit. Immediately after this, Solomon will continue exploring how foolishness leads to ruin while wisdom brings security and peace.
Ever wonder why some relationships constantly feel like a battleground? This verse points to a powerful root cause, and it's not what you might immediately expect.
Proverbs lays it out plainly: pride is the primary fuel for conflict. It's not just about being arrogant; it's about a dangerous self-sufficiency.
The Cycle of Pride and Strife:
This isn't about small disagreements; it's about the deep-seated quarrels that fracture relationships and communities, often stemming from a refusal to admit we might not have all the answers.
If pride leads to conflict, what’s the alternative? This verse offers a clear path toward true wisdom, and it’s found in surprising humility.
The second half of the verse presents a beautiful contrast: wisdom is found with those who seek and accept advice. This isn't about weakness; it's about intelligent humility.
The Mark of True Wisdom:
Understand the original words
zadon · Hebrew Noun
An arrogant, presumptuous, or boastful attitude that despises the instruction of others, particularly the instruction of God. It is the opposite of humility.
maddon · Hebrew Noun
Conflict, contention, or discord. It is frequently presented as the consequence of pride and the rejection of godly counsel.
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
The application of divine truth to life. It involves the fear of the Lord, discernment, and the ability to live according to God’s design.
This passage echoes Proverbs, stating directly that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, highlighting the destructive nature of pride and the value of humility.
Romans 12:3Similar to Proverbs, this verse calls believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought, connecting pride with flawed thinking and urging a more humble, realistic self-assessment which aligns with seeking advice.
Galatians 5:26This verse warns against boasting and provoking one another, actions often rooted in pride, and contrasts them with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control and peace, the opposite of the strife Proverbs describes.
Proverbs 11:2This verse directly parallels Proverbs 13:10 by stating that pride leads to ruin but wisdom is found with the humble, reinforcing the core message that humility is the pathway to true wisdom and avoids conflict.
Luke 14:11Jesus' teaching about taking the lowest place at a banquet illustrates the principle that pride leads to humiliation, while humility leads to exaltation, mirroring the idea that pride causes strife and being open to advice leads to a better outcome.
cambridgeProverbs 13:10: "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
10 . Only by pride cometh ] Rather, By pride cometh only , R.V. Pride is sure to rouse opposition and lead to contention; whereas wisdom belongs to those who accept advice and avoid disputes.
bensonProverbs 13:10: "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
Proverbs 13:10 . Only by pride cometh contention — This is not to be understood exclusively, as to all other causes of contention; for contentions often spring from ignorance, or mistake, or covetousness, or other passions; but eminently, because, as pride bloweth up those coals of contention, which other passions kindle, so oftentimes pride alone, without any other cause, stirreth up strife; which it doth b…
This verse highlights that pride doesn't just lead to strife; it's often the only ingredient needed to spark it, like dry tinder. The wisdom described isn't about being the smartest person in the room, but rather about being willing to listen to others.
This verse sits in a section of Proverbs contrasting two ways of living: the foolish and the wise. It follows passages about diligence versus laziness, and honesty versus deceit. Immediately after this, Solomon will continue exploring how foolishness leads to ruin while wisdom brings security and peace.
This verse sits in a section of Proverbs contrasting two ways of living: the foolish and the wise. It follows passages about diligence versus laziness, and honesty versus deceit. Immediately after this, Solomon will continue exploring how foolishness leads to ruin while wisdom brings security and peace.
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True wisdom, then, isn't about being the smartest person in the room; it's about recognizing our limitations and leveraging the wisdom God has placed around us.
"By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom." — This verse highlights that pride doesn't just lead to strife; it's often the only ingredient needed to spark it, like dry tinder. The wisdom described isn't about being the smartest person in the…
