Knowledge and discretion

As I was reading Proverbs this morning it occurred to me that this sort of teaching would be so helpful for teenagers. A big part of those years is learning to live as an adult in the world. Anyone who's been doing this for a while knows that there are clearcut rights and wrongs that we can pass on to teenagers - but there is also a lot of nuance and complexity. Proverbs does a really good job of exploring this stuff (the classic example being, "Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you'll be like him yourself" which is followed by "Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he'll become wise in his own eyes. 26:4-5 HCSB). I also think Proverbs' emphasis on living wisely or foolishly is tremendously helpful, especially because it shows that these life choices really matter. It's not only dumb to be a fool, it says volumes about what you think of God and leads you to places you don't want to go.

How about these for starters:

As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

What the wicked dreads will come to him,
but what the righteous desires will be given to him.
(10:23-24)