On this past monday, my family and I were walking in downtown Grand Haven, MI and we came across Dee Lite’s Bar and Grill. Normally I would have just kept walking by, hardly noticing this place, but they had a sign that caught my eye. It had a saying, “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”



Understanding Knowledge And Wisdom

I began thinking about that. My first step – Dictionary.com to find out what the generally accepted definitions of these words are.

Knowledge – the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth;



Wisdom – knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.

Next I went to take a look at Proverbs 1:7,

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

What is this actually saying?

I believe there is an important message here that we need to understand. Let’s break it down.

“Knowledge speaks” – Knowledge alone without “judgment and action”  leads to someone that appears to be a “know-it-all.”  This would be like someone who always has an answer for anything.



“But wisdom listens.” – Based on the definition above, knowledge with the application of judgment and appropriate action leads to wisdom. The image that comes to mind is that of a person who knows truth but also considers the appropriateness of when and how to share truth.

Now lets look at Proverbs 1:7. The first part of the verse focuses on where to find truth. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” tells us that to truly understand the truth, you need to start with God. For more on this read, What Is Your Foundation Made Of?



The second part of the verse says, “but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” This adds a perspective that I have often overlooked. Both the fools and the wise can have knowledge, but what makes the wise stand apart from the fool is that the wise person takes wisdom and discipline seriously.



Trying To Understand It All

There needs to be a balance between knowing the truth and knowing when and how to share the truth. The one who speaks out of knowledge alone comes across as a know-it-all. In this situation, usually the message is lost.



But the one who knows the truth and shares it at the appropriate times will be more effective at helping others understand and accept that truth.



It comes down to what we all struggle with, knowing when to speak and when to listen. We need to share the knowledge of the truth that we have gained but we must do it in love as the scriptures command us too.



For more on Wisdom, Read What Is The Secret To Wisdom?