A Word to the Foolish, a Reflection on Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom, in Proverbs, is not some arcane knowledge open to and understandable by a few scholars. Rather Wisdom is right out there in public in the busiest places with people all around, with people dealing with each other.

Wisdom speaks out, publicly and loudly:

How long are you going to be so foolish, so deliberately ignoring, completely denying knowledge?

Consequences to ignoring wisdom are inevitable.

Our task is to distinguish the voice of Wisdom from the many other, much less unwise voices that are also crying in the streets and squares. If you ignore good advice, you will live to regret it (27-31).

Somewhat troubling are the implications of verse 33, that following the advice of Wisdom will keep us safe and free from misfortune. I can go along with the assertion that foolish actions can bring about disaster, but I can't agree that all disaster is brought about by the sufferer's foolishness.