Proverb for the Day 24:5-6 — A Real Mighty Man or Woman!

5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; 6 for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.

These two verses are often listed together as “Saying 22” in a special section called “the sayings of the wise” (22:17-24:34). While their messages can be appreciated separately, I do see an appropriate connection between them.

Guys who’ve spent a lot of time on the streets understand the concept “might makes right.” But the two lines of verse 5 offer a slightly different perspective.

A real mighty man – a man of “great power” and “strength” – is actually not what we might think. Here it’s the guy who’s “wise” and has “knowledge.”

Real power and strength is on the inside, not the outside. It’s generated from the ability to understand things and make good choices. After all, most strong women usually don’t have big muscles!

So, it’s no surprise that real verse-5 mighty men would appreciate verse-6 insights — “For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”

If we’re ever going to “war” we really need good “guidance.” And, to secure “victory,” it’s really important to have “many advisers.”

Recognizing the importance of “guidance” and “advisers” (:6) is always a good idea to enhance one’s own “power” and “strength” (:5). That would be particularly important when it comes to conflict – for “victory” — and when “waging war.”

Most of us guys think victory in life’s battles comes from our ability to out-muscle the other guy. But these verses offer another way – by out-thinking them!