Compared to What?

(Pro 14:8 KJV)  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

We see two contrasts in this verse.  First we have the character of the people and then we have the results that show up in their lives.  It strikes me that “understand” (995) is contrasted with “deceit” (4820).  My initial read of this is that the evil people of the world thrive on deceiving others.  What came to me this morning as I was looking for a new insight is that they also seem to be really good at deceiving themselves.

Socrates is credited with the phrase “know thyself”.  That is what is at work here.  Since he lived several hundred years after Solomon he might be quoting instead of creating.  Or it could just be that some truths emerge spontaneously.  Either way this proverb is reminding us that fools tend to fool themselves first.  

So?  This is a good reason to steep ourselves in the scripture and know the standards of God.  Most of us have experienced thinking something is straight until we put it next to a straight edge.  Things look level until we actually check.  Wise people compare their values and priorities to what God has clearly established.