Alcohol, in the excessive amount indicated here, can seriously impair our judgment and lead us to make unwise decisions that will be regretted later. It relaxes the mind, lowers the defenses and may cause us to disregard and even scoff at dangers that would normally set alarm bells ringing. It also makes some people very quarrelsome and gets them into all kinds of problems.

Moderation would seem to be the wise course of action, especially in important social situations and when there is business to be conducted and decisions to be made. Some canny businessmen merely pretend to sip their drinks on such occasions in order to keep their wits about them. The foolish overindulge.

How sober-minded are we, however, even at the best of times? Do we let ourselves become unwisely intoxicated into an altered state of consciousness by exposure to charm, beauty and luxuries and even the prospect of power and wealth? What does it take to cloud our judgment?

Perhaps the theme continues. Who would be foolish enough to provoke the king’s fury, and put his own life in danger? One obvious candidate would be the intoxicated person from the previous proverb who lets drink impair his judgment and make him belligerent.

Are we truly awake, mentally switched on and alert to danger signals? Or might we be far too relaxed, too easy-going, too casual as a matter of course? Do we hear the roar of the lion but disregard it simply because we are too light-heartedly optimistic, flippant and naive for our own good? What does the lion’s roar sound like?

Perhaps the theme continues. The foolish person described here launches into a quarrel at the least provocation, as if permanently under the adverse influence of alcohol, even when he has no hope of winning. He lives perpetually in an abnormal state of consciousness, but does not realize it. He needs to sober up to reality.

Do we willingly engage in arguments, like the fool, or do we stay cool and in control, defusing situations and stopping strife before it starts?

Laziness is yet another toxic state of mind. Although the sluggard is quite capable of ploughing and sowing, and knows he should, he fails to do so because of his laziness, and has to suffer the automatic consequences.

Ploughing prepares the ground so the seed can germinate and take root. In a similar fashion, education and training prepare the mind and make it fertile, ready for the development of seed-like ideas that could be sown and bring a rich harvest. Do we, like the sluggardly farmer, possess a valuable and potentially very productive asset that we are failing to use?

Is procrastination one of your basic failings? How well do you budget and manage your time? What better things could you be doing with your life? What kind of seeds should you be sowing? What kind of ploughing do you need to do?

The lazy farmer knows exactly what he needs to do to earn a living but is too lazy to do it. However, what we need to do with our lives in other areas of this complex society may not always be so obvious. The purpose we are best gifted to accomplish may lie so deep in our heart that we are simply unaware of its presence, like water far beneath the ground. How can we dig down and draw it out?

The man of understanding keeps asking questions then listening patiently for his heart to answer, and persists until he succeeds. Perhaps Solomon is speaking of the subconscious, the lower level of the mind whose working we are not normally aware of, although it can be accessed by posing questions and listening for insights in a relaxed and patient meditative state of mind.

If we are looking for someone to trust, perhaps to do an important job for us, do we take them at face value and believe their advertising -- or do we ask some careful questions and find out more about them and the quality of their work? Do we require references and follow them up properly? Are we too gullible? How can we discern someone’s motives and judge their character?

Perhaps the theme continues. The deep purpose that the man of understanding seeks to draw out may in fact reside in someone else’s heart. That person may present a pleasant and well polished outer image of goodness, but what is his true motivation?

How do we acquire sound values, such as diligence, generosity, reliability and enthusiasm? Parental influence and example must often play an important part, with the result that children are blessed by the integrity of the parents. Perhaps God also rewards the righteous by blessing their children.

What does the conduct of children tell us about their parents? What values are we imparting, and how? Notice that the just man walks in his integrity – he not only knows what is right, but does it.

In giving instructions to Timothy regarding the appointment of bishops, Paul says: "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take of God’s church?" (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

A king, especially, needs to be wary of the motives of those who seek his favor and those to whom he intends to entrust responsibility. In the process of winnowing, the farmer separated the useless chaff from the solid grain by gentle fanning. Perhaps Solomon is comparing the movement of the king’s eyelids as he narrows his eyes and becomes more suspicious to the movement of the farmer’s fan.

Narrowing the eyes signifies concentration and close questioning. Do we dig in and get the facts, or are we too trusting and gullible? Are we skillful in framing probing questions? Can we blow away the chaff, the verbiage, the half-truths and lies, and gently but firmly get to the real truth of a matter?

The throne of judgment probably represents the sober mindset we must adopt to do this.

The obvious answer to Solomon’s is "nobody!" Everybody has human nature, and has sinned in many and different ways, and is capable of being drawn into all kinds of evil, despite their best intentions to the contrary. Peter swore vehemently that he would be loyal to Jesus, but because of the escalating pressure put on him, he actually betrayed him three times before the cock crowed next morning and the fateful night was over.

Perhaps Solomon’s message is that we must be realists and very wary of trusting any person completely. It would seem wise, therefore, when do entrust somebody with serious responsibility, that we also have ways of monitoring to make sure all is well.

The crooked merchant apparently had different sets of weights and measuring vessels, for use with different people in different situations. Some individuals, I suppose, he felt he could cheat and take advantage of, whilst with other he dealt honestly.

In the context of this section, perhaps Solomon is asking us if we, like the merchant, also have mixed morals, dealing honesty part of the time but cheating when we feel we can get away with it, especially in money matters. Are we consistent in our attitudes and conduct? Do we give people the time and attention due to them, or do we short-change some of them? Are we moody, being kind and helpful sometimes, but irritable and selfish at others?

Can people trust us? Will we treat them fairly or take advantage of the situation? Remember that God measures out his mercy and kindness to us with the very same measure we use with other people.

What kind of person are we? Are we honest, fair and trustworthy – in contrast to the merchant in the previous proverb? If we can so easily discern the attitudes of quite a young child by listening to his words and observing his actions, can we not judge our own character -- the self with whom we have lived for so long?

Are our motives pure and righteous? Can we see ourselves as others see us?

Although we may deceive other people, and even delude ourselves, we cannot deceive God. He who made ears and eyes is certainly not deaf or blind. He will judge us, as we judge the child, by our words and deeds, whether they be pure and right.

Sleep is good, but what happens if we get to love sleep, so that it becomes a kind of addiction that causes us to neglect important matters? Are we sleepy and dull witted about work? Are we penalizing ourselves by our casual, slothful approach?

Inspiration writers, such as Anthony Robbins, suggest that most people are metaphorically sleep-walking through their lives. Their eyes are closed to reality and opportunity. As a result, they meekly accept mediocrity, and never discover and develop their God-given talents. Sometimes it takes a painful shock, such as the loss of their job or a serious financial reversal, to wake them up.

Perhaps the theme continues. Unlike the sleepy-minded person in the previous proverb, the buyer described here is bold and pushy and easily beats down the seller by his repeated insistence that the goods are over-priced and substandard. When he gets what he wants, he goes off boasting about his good deal.

How passive, fearful and easily exploited are we in financial matters? The buyer in this proverb is enthusiastic, and has devised a simple but workable strategy for getting what he wants. His method may smack of dishonesty, but at least he has some drive and get-up-and-go and it gets results. Are we professional victims? Do we make habit of letting people deny us our rights?

Wise speech is an adornment. A person may wear fine clothes and costly jewelry, but what impression do they make when they open their mouth?

The pushy buyer in the previous proverb has the wisdom to work out in advance how to operate effectively in certain situations that might otherwise be hard to handle. He may even have a little script that he follows. He is a smooth and effective talker.

How wise and articulate are we? Do we mumble and stumble in an embarrassed self-conscious manner, and take second best, afraid what the other person might think of us? Do we ever learn? Can we mentally rehearse such situations and write ourselves some assertive dialogue? Might we even come to enjoy such encounters and regard them as stimulating challenges, rather than avoiding them?

The theme continues. Are we business-like in conducting our affairs, or are we too soft-hearted and trusting in money matters, especially if a woman is involved? Minimize risk, says Solomon, and make sure any credit you grant is guaranteed by adequate security.

Granting credit to a wayward woman who has left home and husband, or a foreigner, as some versions render it, is obviously extremely risky. Check people out thoroughly, be prudent and play it safe.

Nothing spoils the pleasure of chewing a mouthful of delicious bread or cake than to suddenly find that it contains some fragments of grit that may have chipped off the grindstone as the flour was being milled. As the grit grates between our teeth, we stop chewing and try to get rid of it. The enjoyment we anticipated has come and gone.

According to Solomon’s metaphor, the pleasure the deceitful person initially derives from his dishonest gains quickly disappears in a similar fashion, as he thinks about what he has done, and the persistent and uncomfortable feelings of guilt grate on his conscience.

Be businesslike and assertive, by all means, in order to achieve your goals, says Solomon, but be assured that money gained by deception never satisfies for long. It will be like chewing on a mouthful of gravel – tasteless and unpleasant and hard to spit out.

Never start a fight you cannot win. No general goes into a battle without first planning his strategy and tactics with his advisers, and having obtained as much intelligence as possible about the opposition. Napoleon, we are told, planned his battles in meticulous detail, and usually won as a result.

Whatever venture you are undertaking, says Solomon, get lots and lots of good advice. Consider every angle, rehearse every eventuality, including the response of your competition. Identify every pitfall. Get the facts. Never rely on your own limited knowledge and experience. Make sure you have sufficient resources to carry you through. If you do this, your plans will be well founded, and your chances of success maximized.

Perhaps the theme continues. If you are planning a venture, be very guarded about your intentions, even as you seek advice. A gossip seeks satisfaction and a boost to his self-esteem by passing on the secrets of those foolish enough to confide in him.

Flattery, if accepted, can loosen the tongue, like alcohol, and trap people into imparting confidential information. It also ingratiates, and opens the door to greater familiarity and the posing of questions they could not otherwise be asked. So be very discrete. Recognize talebearers for what they are and avoid them.

We saw earlier that the children of a man of integrity are blessed, as they acquire his good values, but here is a son who reviles and curses his parents, an action punishable by execution under the Law of Moses. His lamp going out apparently implies that he would have no descendants.

Would any young person ever arrive at this tragic state without severe provocation, neglect or abuse on the part of his parents? Perhaps Solomon wants us to reflect on the extremely serious damage we can do to our children by the abuse and misuse of our God-given authority, which is supposed to be an administration of love, to the extent, in effect, of imposing a death penalty on them.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger", says Paul (Ephesians 6:4).

An inheritance may be squandered because the young person who receives it lacks the knowledge and experience to handle the new responsibility wisely. "Easy come, easy go" says an old English proverb, and "A fool and his money are soon parted". Where does the fault lie?

The wise person conserves his inheritance and builds it up. Are we working to preserve and improve the culture, amenities and institutions created for us by previous generations? What about the earth itself – are we conserving its finite resources for the benefit of our children? Do we value the health we have inherited, or are we dissipating it in ways we will later regret?

How many people, in show business for example, sometimes achieve success too early and too easily, only to destroy it by personal stupidity and immature actions? All the more so, perhaps, if they have an unwise manager pushing them on too fast for the sake of the money.

If we have been ill treated, perhaps cheated out of an inheritance or money by someone who tricked us or took advantage of our inexperience, we would of course like to get back at them in some way. Solomon’s advice, however, is to be patient and put the matter in the hands of God, who will deal with it in the most appropriate manner.

A dishonest merchant, as we have seen, may have differing sets of weights with which to cheat customers when he wants to, but if his balance is out of true every single transaction will be affected and all his customers will get less than is due to them.

We are commanded to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves, but this can sometimes be a nuisance when there is money to be made and we possess the inside knowledge needed to tilt the balance in our favor. In business, do we pay people a fair remuneration for their time and effort? Do we give other human beings the respect and consideration due to them? Do we give people a fair chance? Do we give them a hearing?

Life is complicated, and very often the wisest course of action is not easily or quickly found. However, God knows what is best for each one of us, and offers to guide our steps. Nevertheless, he does not force us to follow his advice, and we are free to make our own decisions, for better or worse. How can we know his will?

The man Solomon describes here apparently makes a serious commitment that he later finds himself unable to keep. He dedicates something to God, perhaps an animal, but ends up eating it himself, possibly because he could not really afford to make the sacrifice in the first place. He then makes another strong commitment, a vow to carry out a careful inquiry into the matter.

Do we trap ourselves by making rash and unnecessary commitments? Do we say yes, when we should say no, possibly because we want to look good to other people? Are we too impetuous and incautious in our decision making? Do we count the cost?

In the ancient threshing process, sheaves of corn from the field were split up and the stalks scattered across a stone floor, and then crushed by a heavy wheel dragged by oxen.

The wise king not only identifies and scatters troublemakers, but also forcefully and irreversibly crushes whatever organizational structure they may have developed, so that the problem cannot recur.

Do we live with problems, or do we identify them and solve them? Do we analyze unsatisfactory situations, break them down and pinpoint the root causes? Do we have the drive to do the job thoroughly, or just content to patch things up in a temporary fashion? How can we make sure a given problem will never recur? Can our problems, like the sheaves of wheat, contain seeds of innovation and opportunity that are only revealed once the chaff has been removed?

There is more to man than atoms and molecules, and it is the God-given spirit in us that imparts intellect and makes possible our understanding of human affairs. Just as a candle lights a dark place, so that spirit somehow illuminates the innermost thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.

The innermost part to which Solomon refers must include what is now described as the unconscious or subconscious mind, supposedly the greatest discovery of modern psychiatry. In this most innermost part of the mind, the deepest recesses of our heart, are found the unquestioned beliefs and basic attitudes, both good and bad, by which we are unthinkingly led – until some kind of crisis or conscious decision leads us to examine them more carefully, and make deliberate changes for the better.

God knows our heart, but how well do we know it ourselves? Do we take time for relaxed introspection – to shine the gentle, flickering light of our spirit onto our heart, and begin to sort through the very personal collection of unconscious but unsound beliefs, hurt feelings, needless fears and base desires that has been robotically driving us?

Where are we going in life? What is our true calling? What gifts should we be developing? What goals should we be setting? What changes could and should we be making? What habits must we change? What false beliefs are limiting our success? What emotional baggage do we need to drag out and dispose of?

Perhaps the theme continues – as we examine our hearts and kick out the warped ideas and emotions that have misled us for so long, perhaps we need to restock with kindness and truth and let them guide us in all we do instead. Perhaps we need to start being kinder to ourselves, and less reproachful of our failures and weaknesses.

What is the true function of a king, why does his throne exist? Is to exercise authority for its own sake, or to promote and protect the health, wealth and happiness of his subjects? Jesus says: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:25-27).

What part do kindness and truth play in your life? What is your mission statement? What are you trying to achieve? What service do you provide, and how can it be improved

The market share of a business is preserved by customer satisfaction and loyalty. When it stops providing good value and meeting the real needs of those customers, its end is near.

Change is inevitable, even in our body and mind, but the wise man adapts because he is a life-long learner. How can a younger man acquire greater wisdom and broaden his experience? How can the older man preserve his strength and vitality?

How do we manage change? What implications does change have for the education and training of young people?

In order to be more productive, must we work harder or smarter? Do we rely on brute force or our brain to get things done?

In business, how well do we serve the special needs and interests of young and old? What other market segments can we identify and target? How do the requirements of new and established customers differ? Can we educate our customers and make them wiser consumers?

Contrary to contemporary thinking, Solomon says that corporal punishment can have a positive healing effect on the mind. The pain it imparts cleanses away evil and purifies the heart, just like the oxygen-depleted blood that transports waste materials away from a wound.

As the previous proverb suggests, the wise person learns and looks for ways to change and improve. He examines his heart, his innermost parts, and smooths his way by purging out warped ideas and evil attitudes.

The foolish person, on the other hand, only learns by painful experience and punisment. Sometimes it takes a serious crisis to open a person’s eyes to the basic beliefs and attitudes that have been driving his life in the wrong direction.