Proverbs 14:1
French (La Bible expliquée)
Une femme pleine de sagesse assure la solidité d'un foyer, mais une femme sotte le détruit de ses propres mains. Sagesse et sottise ne sont pas réservées aux seuls maris. Le v. 1 souligne l'influence positive de la sagesse et celle, désastreuse, de la sottise, quand il s'agit des épouses (11.22 12.4 18.22 19.13-14 21.9 19 22.14 31.10-31). Par ailleurs trois proverbes situent la sagesse en relation avec Dieu (v. 2, 26-27). Quiconque opprime un pauvre, offense aussi Dieu qui l'a créé (v. 31; 17.5). Un constat triste: le pauvre est sans amis (v. 20). Heureux qui se montre secourable envers lui (v. 21). La richesse est le fruit du travail, une récompense de la sagesse (v. 24). Par ailleurs, la sagesse convient éminemment au roi (v. 35), comme Salomon l'a compris (1 Rois 3.4-15). Faute de sagesse, le roi perdra ses sujets (v. 28). Si la juste colère du roi menace les incapables (v. 35b), la colère, en elle-même, ne va pas de pair avec la sagesse (v. 17, 29-30). La justice (la droiture) ne fait pas la grandeur des individus seulement, mais aussi celle d'une nation (v. 34). De sept proverbes, il ressort que la sagesse, comme la sottise, se manifeste par la parole (v. 3, 7-8, 15-16, 18, 33). On peut y rattacher les deux proverbes qui constituent presque un doublet et qui condamnent le mensonge (v. 5 et 25).
What Does This Mean?
This verse says that a wise woman strengthens her family and home, while a foolish woman weakens it. It's from the Book of Proverbs, which contains wise sayings. The key message is that our actions can either build up or tear down our homes.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a toy house. A wise kid makes it bigger and better by adding more parts. But a silly kid might knock it down and mess it up. This verse is saying that in real life, a smart mom makes her family better, while a silly mom might make things worse.
Historical Background
The Book of Proverbs was written by wise men in ancient Israel, around 1000 BCE. It was intended for all people, especially young men, to learn wisdom and live rightly. In that culture, the role of a woman in building or tearing down a household was highly significant.
Living It Out Today
In modern terms, this verse could apply to a scenario where a wife and mother actively contributes to her family’s well-being, like by supporting her spouse's career or nurturing her children. Conversely, it could also describe a situation where a mother's negative actions lead to the family's disintegration.
Topics
wisdomfamilyhomeresponsibilityconsequencesleadership
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'build her house'?
Building her house means actively contributing to the stability, growth, and well-being of her family and home environment.
How can a woman avoid being foolish?
A woman can avoid being foolish by seeking wisdom, making wise decisions, and acting in ways that strengthen and support her family.
Can this verse apply to men too?
Yes, the principles can apply to men as well, as both partners in a family are responsible for building up the home.
What are some examples of foolish actions?
Foolish actions might include neglecting responsibilities, making poor decisions that harm the family, or intentionally undermining the family's stability.