#proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,    but a wise man listens to advice. - Proverbs 12:15

What is the "way of a fool?" That is, what is it exactly that makes someone a fool? From the point of view of Proverbs, a fool is someone who despises wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). That's the reason why fools don't fear the Lord, because the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). A fool is not necessarily stupid, but someone who refuses to submit to a proper understanding of the Lord and His creation.

The fact that a fool despises wisdom and instruction is also the reason why "a fool is right in his own eyes." Instead of humbly submitting to wisdom and instruction, the fool thinks that his own way is the right way. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes because pride has taken over and prevented true insight into the way things really are. A fool would rather do things the way he thinks they should be done than do them the way they should be done.

What is a "wise man?" That is, what is it exactly that makes someone wise? From the point of view of Proverbs, a wise person is someone who values wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:1-6). That's the reason why the wise fear the Lord, because the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). The wise are not necessarily smart, but those who are willing to submit to a proper understanding of the Lord and His creation.

The fact that a wise person values wisdom and instruction is also the reason why they "listen to advice." Instead of rejecting wisdom and instruction, a wise person values it no matter where it comes from. The wise person listens to advice because humility has made true insight into the way things really are possible. A wise person would rather do things the right way even if it means doing things the way someone else thinks they should be done.

None of this means that a wise person shouldn't make a decision without advice and it doesn't mean that they should accept every bit of advice that comes their way. After all, not all advice is good advice.

It does mean, however, that the acquisition of wisdom and instruction about the Lord and His creation is more important than from whence it comes.