1262 verses about Learning

And if a man loves righteousness, The fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, For she teaches soberness and understanding, righteousness and courage; And there is nothing in life for men more profitable than these.

And if a man longeth even for much experience, She knows the things of old, and divineth the things to come: She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings: She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times.

Because of her I will have glory among multitudes, And honor in the sight of elders, though I be young.

I will be found of a quick conceit when I give judgement, And in the presence of princes I will be admired.

And in her friendship is good delight, And in the labors of her hands is wealth that fails not, And in assiduous communing with her is understanding, And great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself.

Now I was a child of parts, and a good soul fell to my lot;

But perceiving that I could not otherwise possess wisdom except God gave her me (Yes and to know by whom the grace is given, this too came of understanding), I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said,

Give me wisdom, her that sits by you on your throne; And reject me not from among your servants:

For even if a man be perfect among the sons of men, Yet if the wisdom that comes from you be not with him, he will be held in no account.

Send her forth out of the holy heavens, And from the throne of your glory bid her come, That being present with me she may toil with me, And that I may learn what is well-pleasing before you.

For she knows all things and has understanding thereof, And in my doings she will guide me in ways of soberness, And she will guard me in her glory.

And hardly do we divine the things that are on earth, And the things that are close at hand we find with labor; But the things that are in the heavens who ever yet traced out?

And who ever gained knowledge of your counsel, except you gave wisdom, And sent your holy spirit from on high?

And it was thus that the ways of them which are on earth were corrected, And men were taught the things that are pleasing to you; And through wisdom were they saved.

For when they were tried, albeit but in mercy chastened, They learned how the ungodly were tormented, being judged with wrath:

For when they heard that through their own punishments the others had been benefited, They felt the presence of the Lord;

That they might learn, that by what things a man sins, by these he is punished.

Wherefore you convictest by little and little those who fall from the right way, And, putting them in remembrance by the very things wherein they sin, do you admonish them, That escaping from their wickedness they may believe on you, O Lord.

But you did teach your people by such works as these, How that the righteous must be a lover of men; And you did make your sons to be of good hope, Because you give repentance when men have sinned.

While therefore you do chasten us, you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more, To the intent that we may ponder your goodness when we judge, And when we are judged may look for mercy.

For if they had power to know so much, That they should be able to explore the course of things, How is it that they did not sooner find the Sovereign Lord of these his works?

For they were bitten, to put them in remembrance of your oracles; And were quickly saved, lest, falling into deep forgetfulness, They should become unable to be roused by your beneficence:

That your sons, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn That it is not the growth of the earth’s fruits that nourishes a man, But that your word preserves those who trust you.

Of that night were our fathers made aware beforehand, That, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted:

All wisdom comes from the Lord, And is with him forever.

To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? And who has known her shrewd counsels?

To fear the Lord is the fulness of wisdom; And she satiateth men with her fruits.

He both saw and counted her; He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding, And exalted the honor of those who hold her fast.

He will hide his words for a season, And the lips of many will tell forth his understanding.

If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, And the Lord will give her to you freely:

For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction; And in faith and meekness is his good pleasure.

Seek not things that are too hard for you, And search not out things that are above your strength.

Be not over busy in your superfluous works: For more things are showed to you than men can understand.

For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, And will bring fear and dread upon him, And torment him with her discipline, Until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgements:

For by speech wisdom will be known; And instruction by the word of the tongue.

Speak not against the truth; And be abashed for your ignorance.

In a great matter and in a small, be not ignorant;

My son, gather instruction from your youth up: And even to hoar hairs you will find wisdom.

Come to her as one that plows and sows, And wait for her good fruits; For your toil will be little in the tillage of her, And you will eat of her fruits right soon.

How exceeding harsh is she to the unlearned! And he that is without understanding will not abide in her.

For wisdom is according to her name; and she is not manifest to many.

Give ear, my son, and accept my judgement, And refuse not my counsel,

And bring your feet into her fetters, And your neck into her chain.

Come to her with all your soul, And keep her ways with your whole power.

Search, and seek, and she will be made known to you; And when you have got hold of her, let her not go.

For at the last you will find her rest; And she will be turned for you into gladness.

And her fetters will be to you for a covering of strength, And her chains for a robe of glory.

You shall put her on as a robe of glory, And shall array you with her as a crown of rejoicing.

My son, if you will, you shall be instructed; And if you will yield your soul, you will be prudent.

If you love to hear, you will receive; And if you incline your ear, you will be wise.

Stand you in the multitude of the elders; And whoso is wise, cleave you to him.

Be willing to listen to every godly discourse; And don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you.

If you see a man of understanding, get you betimes to him, And let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.

Let your mind dwell upon the ordinances of the Lord, And meditate continually in his commandments: He will establish your heart, And your desire of wisdom will be given to you.

Neglect not the discourse of the wise, And be conversant with their proverbs; For of them you will learn instruction, And how to minister to great men.

Miss not the discourse of the aged; For they also learned of their fathers: Because from them you will learn understanding, And to give answer in time of need.

Let your converse be with men of understanding; And let all your discourse be in the law of the Most High.

An uninstructed king will destroy his people; And a city will be established through the understanding of the powerful.

In the hand of the Lord is the prosperity of a man; And upon the person of the scribe will he lay his honor.

A poor man is glorified for his knowledge; And a rich man is glorified for his riches.

The bee is little among such as fly; And her fruit is the chief of sweetmeats.

Blessed is the man that shall meditate in wisdom, And that shall discourse by his understanding.

He that considers her ways in his heart Shall also have knowledge in her secrets.

Go forth after her as one that tracketh, And lie in wait in her ways.

He that lodges close to her house Shall also fasten a nail in her walls.

He shall pitch his tent near at hand to her, And will lodge in a lodging where good things are.

With bread of understanding will she feed him, And give him water of wisdom to drink.

Many such things I have seen with my eyes; And my ear has heard mightier things than these.

My son, hearken to me, and learn knowledge, And give heed to my words with your heart.

I will show forth instruction by weight, And declare knowledge exactly.

Counsel, and tongue, and eyes, Ears, and heart, gave he them to understand withal.

He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, And showed them good and evil.

He added to them knowledge, And gave them a law of life for a heritage.

When a man has finished, then he is but at the beginning; And when he ceaseth, then will he be in perplexity.

He has mercy on those who accept chastening, And that diligently seek after his judgements.

Learn before you speak; And have a care of your health or ever you be sick.

Every man of understanding knows wisdom; And he will give thanks to him that found her.

They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, And poured forth apt proverbs.

He that is wise in words will advance himself; And one that is prudent will please great men.

He that is not clever will not be instructed; And there is a cleverness which makes bitterness to abound.

The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood; And his counsel as a fountain of life.

The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel; And he will hold no knowledge.

If a man of knowledge hear a wise word, He will commend it, and add to it: The dissolute man hears it, and it displeases him, And he puts it away behind his back.

As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool; And the knowledge of an unwise man is as talk without sense.

Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, And as manacles on the right hand.

Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, And as a bracelet upon his right arm.

A foolish man peepeth in from the door of another man’s house; But a man that is instructed will stand without.

It is a lack of instruction in a man to listen at the door; But the prudent man will be grieved with the disgrace.

A father has shame in having begotten an uninstructed son; And a foolish daughter is born to his loss.

Unseasonable discourse is as music in mourning; But stripes and correction are wisdom at every season.

He that teaches a fool is as one that glues a potsherd together; Even as one that wakes a sleeper out of a deep sleep.

A heart settled upon a thoughtful understanding Is as an ornament of plaister on a polished wall.

Who will set scourges over my thought, And a discipline of wisdom over my heart? That they spare me not for my ignorances, And my heart pass not by their sins:

Remember your father and your mother, For you sit in the midst of great men; That you be not forgetful before them, And become a fool by your custom; So will you wish that you had not been born, And curse the day of your nativity.

A man that is accustomed to words of reproach Will not be corrected all the days of his life.

For my memorial is sweeter than honey, And my inheritance than the honeycomb.

It is he that makes wisdom abundant, as Pishon, And as Tigris in the days of new fruits;

That makes understanding full as Euphrates, And as Jordan in the days of harvest;

That makes instruction to shine forth as the light, As Gihon in the days of vintage.

The first man knew her not perfectly; And in like manner the last has not traced her out.