4. Dwelling with Discretion
Discretion is the most important seldom-mentioned concept of the book of Proverbs! We can characterize it in this way because the word discretion is only mentioned directly a relatively few times in Proverbs – far fewer times than some of the concepts we will look at in the following chapters – yet discretion has a heavyweight status for two reasons.
First, the Hebrew word usually translated "prudence" in English Bibles is an almost identical synonym (in the same way that "big" and "large" are essentially the same in English) and when we include the word prudence in the count as well, the combined discretion/prudence usage suddenly becomes much more noticeable. Secondly, because of the stress that is often placed on these words when they do appear, they are clearly very important qualities.
Notice, for example, how discretion and prudence are mentioned at the outset of Proverbs – as being among the very reasons for the book:
The proverbs of Solomon … for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. (Proverbs 1:1, 4) We should realize that when this verse (and others in Proverbs) speaks of the "simple" it does not have to mean unsophisticated or unintelligent individuals as it might in English. The underlying word means individuals who are "open," and it can suggest their readiness to learn in the positive sense as well as being open to bad influences. In the same way, the "young" does not necessarily mean children or the immature and could apply to those setting out on the path of wisdom just as, in the New Testament, the apostle Peter tells us to desire spiritual knowledge as "babies" (1 Peter 2:2). But returning to discretion and prudence, we are also told that they are among the key characteristics of wisdom:
"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." (Proverbs 8:12) In fact, this section of Proverbs chapter eight is usually understood as being the basis of the "seven pillars of wisdom" with which the personified Wisdom is said to have built and supported her house (Proverbs 9:1).
So, what exactly, from the perspective of wisdom literature, is this important concept of discretion and prudence that is so highly regarded in Proverbs? We can find the answer to that question by looking at how each of these words is used in the book and what they can teach us. Discretion The word usually translated as "discretion" in our Bibles is mezimmah, which comes from a root meaning "to plan" or "scheme"– often in a bad sense, but sometimes with a perfectly good meaning such as "think about" or "consider." We see this in Proverbs 31:16 which tells us that the virtuous woman "considers a field and buys it." So mezimmah itself means a plan which can be good (Proverbs 1:4; 2:11; 3:21; etc.) or bad (Proverbs 12:2; 14:17; 24.8; etc.). The word does not simply refer to abstract goals, but to actions that are based on careful thought. As such, we can say that in many cases discretion is "applied wisdom," which is why Proverbs tells us that:
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:11) Interestingly, this verse comes at the end of a passage that instructs us: "if you incline your ear to wisdom" (Proverbs 2:1, 4 BSB) then continues to the desired outcome or application of wisdom – discretion.
We can also say that discretion is the effective use of wisdom. Management expert Peter Drucker wrote in his book The Effective Executive that too often in their work and lives, people focus on efficiency (doing things right) instead of on effectiveness (doing the right thing). As Drucker put it: "Working on the right things is what makes ... work effective." In the same way, from the perspective of Proverbs, discretion is what makes wisdom effective.
But discretion, like wisdom, must be learned – and it must also be maintained, as Proverbs also makes clear: do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion. (Proverbs 3:21) that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. (Proverbs 5:2)
A person's discretion, like their reputation, is of little value if it is not maintained, and discretion is often the cause and reason for a good reputation. Conversely, as Proverbs so colorfully states:
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (Proverbs 11:22) Of course, the same could be said of a man, but the proverb uses a woman in its analogy to heighten the contrast between beauty and the ugliness of a reputation of indiscretion. Prudence Now that we have looked at the word usually translated discretion, we can turn to the word that is frequently translated "prudence," but which essentially means the same thing. The Hebrew word ormah – like mezimmah or discretion – has both positive and negative meanings. It can mean "craftiness" in a bad sense, but "prudence" or "discretion" in the good sense. In Proverbs its use is mainly positive (Proverbs 1:4; 8:5, 12; etc.). The related adjective arum, "crafty" or "prudent," is also frequently used in the same two ways but usually in a positive sense in Proverbs (Proverbs 12:16, 23; 13:16; etc.). As we saw above, like discretion, prudence is mentioned at the very outset of Proverbs as one of the reasons for the book (Proverbs 1:4); the personification of wisdom is said to dwell with prudence as well as discretion (Proverbs 8:12); and both discretion and prudence/prudent are used throughout the book to stress right as opposed to wrong thinking:
A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. (Proverbs 12:8)
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways. (Proverbs 14:8) Prudence is not just right thought, however – like discretion it is also the application of wisdom: for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair. (Proverbs 1:3)
There are many instances of this in Proverbs. For example:
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. (Proverbs 10:5) In the same way, prudence often has a forward-looking strategic aspect:
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 27:12) Prudence – again like discretion – also involves careful planning such as wise stewardship, and may also connote discretion in the way things are handled. The word could often be translated "discreet" in such cases:
A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son. (Proverbs 17:2) a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14) A final aspect of prudence is the restraint that it brings to many everyday situations:
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool's heart blurts out folly. (Proverbs 12:23) Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. (Proverbs 10:19) So prudence is often a close synonym for discretion, and it may be helpful to translate prudence as discretion in our own minds as we read Proverbs. Both involve careful discernment and planning, the wise management of resources and opportunities, the avoidance of impulsive and rash behavior or speech, and the use of tact and wisdom in relationships with other people. These are all key areas in the expression of wisdom. They show why Proverbs 16:22 tells us "Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent," and why discretion is such an important concept within the book of Proverbs.