Proverbs 23: Wisdom at the Table
Best for: Self-control, moderation
Overview
Proverbs 23 addresses self-control in various situations: eating with rulers, pursuing wealth, disciplining children, and avoiding drunkenness. The chapter contains the vivid description of the drunkard's experience — seeing strange things, feeling as though lying on the top of a mast. It also includes the powerful exhortation to buy truth and not sell it, and the call to give one's heart to wisdom.
Key Verses
"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."— Proverbs 23:23 (KJV)
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."— Proverbs 23:26 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
Self-control is the thread running through this chapter — at the table, with money, with drink, with desires. Which area of your life needs the most restraint right now?
Practical Application
Identify one area where you tend to overindulge and set a specific boundary for this week. Invest in truth by reading or studying something that deepens your understanding.
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Read wisdom guideFrequently Asked Questions
What is Proverbs 23 about?
Proverbs 23 addresses self-control in various situations: eating with rulers, pursuing wealth, disciplining children, and avoiding drunkenness. The chapter contains the vivid description of the drunkard's experience — seeing strange things, feeling as though lying on the top of a mast. It also includes the powerful exhortation to buy truth and not sell it, and the call to give one's heart to wisdom.
What does Proverbs 23 teach us?
Self-control is the thread running through this chapter — at the table, with money, with drink, with desires. Which area of your life needs the most restraint right now?
What are the key themes of Proverbs 23?
The key themes of Proverbs 23 include: Self-Control, Moderation, Truth, Parental Love.
When should I read Proverbs 23?
Proverbs 23 is especially relevant for: Self-control, moderation. Many people read it on the 23th of each month as part of a Proverbs-a-day plan.