This wise saying is painful for me! It compares two different people – “the wise in heart” and “a chattering fool.”
The distinguishing characteristic of the wise person here is that he or she chooses to “accept commands.” To do that, means they must first listen so they can follow directions!
The distinguishing characteristic of the fool in this verse is his “chattering!” This guy or gal is apparently talking so much that they don’t listen very well. Busted!
While the verse doesn’t discuss what all this listening and following commands specifically does for the wise, we can assume it is probably pretty good. But it does say what all the talking this fool does will get him – “ruin.”
A fool talks and gets nowhere. Wisdom, on the other hand, is in the heart – which is focused on attitudes and thoughts. Wisdom affects how we think, which affects how we feel, which will affect how we act.
Wise people listen while fools just keep on talking. Verses like this are difficult for talkers like me…because we just have so much to say! Guess I better just wise up!