In the Bible, the term "fool" is often used to describe a person who lacks wisdom, understanding, or reverence for God. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the characteristics and consequences of foolishness, contrasting it with the virtues of wisdom and righteousness.

1. Lack of Wisdom and Understanding: The fool is frequently depicted as someone who despises wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This highlights the fool's rejection of divine guidance and moral instruction.

2. Moral and Spiritual Blindness: Fools are often characterized by their moral and spiritual blindness. Psalm 14:1 declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good." This verse underscores the fool's denial of God's existence and the resulting moral corruption.

3. Speech and Behavior: The speech and behavior of fools are frequently addressed in Scripture. Proverbs 18:2 notes, "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions." This suggests that fools are more interested in expressing their own views than in seeking truth or understanding.

4. Consequences of Foolishness: The Bible warns of the dire consequences that accompany foolishness. Proverbs 10:21 states, "The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment." This indicates that foolishness can lead to personal ruin and even death due to poor judgment and decision-making.

5. Resistance to Correction: Fools are often resistant to correction and discipline. Proverbs 15:5 says, "A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent." This highlights the fool's unwillingness to learn from mistakes or accept guidance.

6. Pride and Arrogance: Pride is a hallmark of foolishness. Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." Fools are often self-assured and dismissive of others' advice, leading to their downfall.

7. Contrast with Wisdom: The Scriptures frequently contrast the fool with the wise. Ecclesiastes 10:2 observes, "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." This contrast emphasizes the divergent paths and outcomes of wisdom and foolishness.

8. Foolishness in the New Testament: The New Testament also addresses the concept of foolishness, particularly in relation to spiritual matters. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 , Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Here, the perception of the Gospel as foolishness by unbelievers is highlighted, contrasting with the believer's recognition of its divine power.

The biblical portrayal of fools serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to seek wisdom, embrace discipline, and cultivate a reverent fear of the Lord. Through these scriptures, the Bible provides a comprehensive understanding of the nature and consequences of foolishness.Psalm 5:5
The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity.
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Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.
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Psalm 53:1
The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.
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Psalm 74:18-22
Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed your name.
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Psalm 107:17
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
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Proverbs 1:7,22
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Proverbs 3:35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
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Proverbs 9:6-8,13-17
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
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Proverbs 10:1,8,10,13,14,18,23
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
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Proverbs 14:1,7-9,15
Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
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Proverbs 15:7,20,21
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.
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Proverbs 17:24,25
Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
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Proverbs 18:2,6,7
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
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Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
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Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
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Proverbs 21:20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
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Proverbs 26:3-12
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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Proverbs 29:9,11
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
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Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
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Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
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Ecclesiastes 10:11-15
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
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Matthew 7:26,27
And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house on the sand:
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Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
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Inward Confirmation of the Veracity of the Scriptures
... None but a fool would attempt to cross a frozen ... for the Divine Inspiration of the
Scriptures, the believer ... or a description which has no general application. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter twelve inward confirmation of.htm

The General Resurrection
... The General Resurrection ... you a short explanation of it as it is used in the Scriptures. ...
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night shall your soul be ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlii the general resurrection.htm

Solitude, Silence, Submission
... consider your case, next, to study the Scriptures concerning your case ... you would
say that I was a fool to walk ... they have done it in such general and insincere ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/solitude silence submission.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With ... of the quarrel, or choose a
better general(396) for ... man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... the Spirit, as in the proposition concerning the Scriptures is shown ... conclude, that
not only in a general apostacy it ... parts, that he be not a fool.2. Acquired ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

The Person and Work of the Substitute
... This we have seen in a general way ... mighty mercy; records so simple that even the
"fool" may read ... Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vi the person and.htm

Testimonies.
... to our souls concerning the Sacred Scriptures; (6) enabled us ... 6:11) and in this most
general sense faith ... my approach to eternal condemnation; and, fool that I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xli testimonies.htm

The Life of the Honourable Archibald Campbel Marquis of Argyle.
... himself to the study of the holy scriptures, became well ... of England, under the command
of general Leslie, this ... commissary to Edinburgh, he was so fool-hardy as ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of the honourable.htm

The Nature of Enthusiasm
... of madness rather than of folly: seeing a fool is properly ... we have only to apply
this general rule ... who expect to understand the holy Scriptures, without reading ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 37 the nature of.htm

Swedenborgians, Or, the New Jerusalem Church.
... calls the internal or spiritual sense of the sacred Scriptures. ... state of every nation
and people in general, as well ... he talked with me, was like a fool; yet he ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/swedenborgians or the new jerusalem.htm

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