Friends. Friendship has its risks (v. 19), but the isolated person is not wise (v. 1). We belong to each other, and we need each other (v. 14). We may have many acquaintances, but we have few real friends. The person with too many friends may end up in trouble (v. 24 margin). Be a true friend and God will give you true friends who will stick close to you throughout life.
Fools. Fools do not make good friends for many reasons. For one thing, they like to talk so much that they do not hear what others say (v. 2). Their foolish words cause fights (vv. 6–7) and inward pain (v. 8). Their impatience to speak makes them jump to conclusions (vv. 13, 17), and that creates problems (v. 5). The only hope for fools is that they will stop talking and start to listen to wisdom (v. 15).
True Friends
A real friend can be trusted (Prov. 11:13; 17:9) and will stay with you when you are in trouble (Prov. 17:17; 25:19). Friends love you too much to pamper you (Prov. 27:6, 17), and their counsel helps you (Prov. 27:9). A real friend is good for generations (Prov. 27:10)! Some people do not make good friends: those who tempt you to sin (Prov. 1:10ff.); gluttons (Prov. 28:7); drunkards (Prov. 23:20–21); gossips (Prov. 20:19); the violent and angry (Prov. 16:29; 22:24–25); and flatterers (Prov. 27:14). Your best friends are those who have Jesus Christ as their Friend and seek to be like Him (John 15:12–15).
“No one can develop freely in this world and find a full life without feeling understood by at least one person.”
