Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12

[Mattsanity]

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. - Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. - Proverbs 27:12

shouldn't the words prudent and simple switch up? if I understand the term 'simple' correctly, it means a naive person who lacks judgement. a prudent person is someone who thinks carefully before they act. therefore, the simple see danger and take refuge because they're too cowardly to suffer for what is good; and the prudent perservere and suffer for what is good. I always though the former is the negative person and the latter is the positive person, but those verses sound like the prudent man is the negative person and the simple is the positive.

unless those verses are accurate, I hope someone knows where I'm coming from.

 

[Jpark]

I think it depends on the meaning of "danger".

Possible meanings straight from my head:

trap, calamity

 

[Lion King]

I think they have the same meaning as this phrase by Alexander Pope:

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

 

[St_Worm2]

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. - Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. - Proverbs 27:12

shouldn't the words prudent and simple switch up? if I understand the term 'simple' correctly, it means a naive person who lacks judgement. a prudent person is someone who thinks carefully before they act. therefore, the simple see danger and take refuge because they're too cowardly to suffer for what is good; and the prudent perservere and suffer for what is good. I always though the former is the negative person and the latter is the positive person, but those verses sound like the prudent man is the negative person and the simple is the positive.

unless those verses are accurate, I hope someone knows where I'm coming from.

Hey OC, where do see these verses introducing the ideas of 'suffering' for doing "good", or avoiding doing good because of "cowardliness"? Isn't it simply that the "prudent" man sees "danger", or "evil", and wisely avoids it, where the "simple" or foolish man doesn't take notice of the same and finds himself in a world of hurt because of it?

As an example, let's use a concert hall located in a bad area of town. The "prudent" man is aware of (or "sees") the danger that street gangs pose in this particular neighborhood, especially at night, and wisely decides to leave the concert with most of the rest of the audience. IOW, he sees the danger and avoids it (or "takes refuge" from it) by leaving with a big crowd.

The "simple" or foolish man on the other hand hasn't bothered to really notice where he is and is even unconcerned about walking down a dark alley to shorten the time it takes him to get back to his car.

Perhaps not the best of examples, but hopefully you understand my meaning.

Yours and His,
David

A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
Proverbs 14:16​

 

[Mattsanity]

the way those verses are structured made it seem like the prudent were scared to fight off evil while the simple had courage. daleko and company, you all got me though. perhaps I was thinking too much.