Proverbs for Young Pilgrims: Hope for a Fool

Proverbs 26:12 “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” At first glance, young pilgrim, this Proverb could be somewhat baffling to us. Is not “a man wise in his own conceit” a fool? The fool, as Jesus presents him at the conclusion of the sermon on the mount, is one who, wise in his own conceit, builds his house upon the sand, (cf Matt. 7:26, 27) However, in this Proverb there is a distinction made between one who is ‘‘wise in his own conceit,” and...