The Teachable and Unteachable Son
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son hears his father's instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke.


I. THE TEACHABLE SON. "A wise son heareth his father's instruction." Solomon, of course, supposes that the father is what a father ought to be. He who attends to the instruction of a father, Solomon says, is wise. He is wise —

1. Because he attends to the Divine condition of human improvement. The Creator has ordained that the rising generation should get its wisdom from the teachings of its parents. It is by generations learning of predecessors that the race advances.

2. Because he gratifies the heart of his best earthly friend.

II. THE UNTEACHABLE SON. "A scorner heareth not rebuke." Some persons justly merit derision; some things merit contempt. A son who scorns either the person or the counsels of his father is not in a state of mind to hear rebuke — he is unteachable.

(D. Thomas, D.D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

WEB: A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.




The Heedless Scorner
Top of Page
Top of Page