Proverbes 16:16

16 Combien il vaut mieux acquérir de la sagesse que de l'or fin! Et combien il est plus excellent d'acquérir de la prudence que de l'argent!

Proverbes 16:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:16

How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold?
&c.] To obtain and possess Christ, the fountain of wisdom, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which treasures are infinitely preferable to thousands of gold and silver; to gain the knowledge of him, and of God in him, with which eternal life is connected, and in comparison of which all things are loss and dung; to have wisdom in the hidden part, or grace in the heart, which is much more precious than gold that perisheth; to have a spiritual experimental knowledge of the Gospel, and the truths of it, which are more to be desired than gold, yea, than fine gold; all which are to be got by diligent search and inquiry, by prayer and asking for, and to be had or bought without money and without price; and the getting of them is above all other gettings; such wisdom is more valuable in itself, has a greater intrinsic worth in it than gold; it is more profitable and useful, more solid and satisfying; it is not only better, but it is abundantly better, it is inexpressibly so; it cannot be well said how much better it is, and therefore it is put by way of question and admiration; see ( Proverbs 3:13-15 ) ( 4:7 ) ; and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?
the same thing is designed as before, expressed in different words; a spiritual understanding of Christ and the Gospel, and an experience of the grace of God; though some, as Gersom, think that wisdom is something better than understanding, as gold, to which it is preferred, is better than silver. The Septuagint render it,

``nests of wisdom, and nests of understanding;''

and the Arabic version,

``buds of wisdom, and buds of understanding.''

Proverbes 16:16 In-Context

14 La fureur du roi est un messager de mort; mais l'homme sage l'apaise.

15 Le visage serein du roi donne la vie; et sa faveur est comme la nuée qui porte la pluie de l'arrière-saison.

16 Combien il vaut mieux acquérir de la sagesse que de l'or fin! Et combien il est plus excellent d'acquérir de la prudence que de l'argent!

17 Le chemin des hommes droits, c'est de se détourner du mal; celui-là garde son âme qui prend garde à sa conduite.

18 L'orgueil va devant l'écrasement, et la fierté d'esprit devant la ruine.