“Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly” (Proverbs 13:16).
Knowledge is the accumulation of information learned over time. It ought not be viewed as an end in itself; rather, its highest value comes when it is used as a means to an end called prudence. A prudent person is one who uses knowledge to improve himself and his environment. For a prudent person, knowledge is a great spiritual help.
Aphron is a Greek noun translated “fool” in the New Testament and here in the Septuagint. Aphron generally denotes someone who is morally and spiritually bankrupt—like the atheist who says there is no God (Psalm 14:1). Believing himself to be knowledgeable and prudent, he readily boasts in what he ought to be ashamed. By his speech and manner of life, he loudly and proudly demonstrates he is a fool. In his case, sadly, knowledge is a spiritual hindrance.
