What does it mean that a wise man will hear and increase learning (Proverbs 1:5)?

King Solomon is credited with writing 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32). He wrote and compiled these wise sayings for a specific purpose, which is explained in the introduction to the book of Proverbs: to impart wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge, judgment, prudence, discretion, and to help people to do what is right and to live morally disciplined, successful lives (see Proverbs 1:1–7). Solomon’s primary audience includes “the simple” (the uneducated, naïve, inexperienced person) and “the young” (see Proverbs 1:4). Yet even the wise and discerning can learn from the Proverbs:

Solomon informs readers that the wisdom of the book of Proverbs is for everyone. All God’s people, even those who have already attained wisdom, can listen to the proverbs and become even wiser. Those with discernment can receive guidance and insight as they hear the truths contained in these sayings. The proverbs are not just “milk” for the young but also “solid food” for the spiritually mature (cf. Hebrews 5:12–13; 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2).

We should never think ourselves too wise or mature in the Lord. We must continually challenge ourselves to grow in knowledge and increase learning, lest we become complacent. A wise man or woman remains teachable, receptive, like a sponge, ready to learn even more:

A wise man will hear. The Hebrew verb (yišma‘), translated as “will hear” in Proverbs 1:5, means more than to listen; it includes the idea of paying close attention and obeying. The wise will hear and increase learning by letting the proverbs renew one’s mind, reshape one’s life, and transform one’s behavior (see Romans 12:2).

A wise man will increase learning. The word translated “increase” (yōwsêp̄ in Hebrew) in Proverbs 1:5 means “to make an addition to; augment; to add to the quality, quantity, size or scope of.” “Learning” (lěʹqǎḥ in Hebrew) applies not just to the cognitive process of acquiring knowledge but also to honing a skill. An understanding man will attain wise counsel. “Wise counsel” is a translation of the Hebrew taḥbūlôṯ, a word also translated as “guidance” (ESV, NIV, NLT). Wise counsel refers to strategies for navigating life and steering in the right direction. The wise man will increase learning by persistently adding to his reservoir of knowledge, enhancing its quality and scope, and acquiring new life skills as he progresses. He will gain deeper insight as he applies what he learns through experience. He will grow more virtuous, more grounded in righteousness, and more spiritually mature.

Like the apostle Paul, the wise person will always be aware of his need for more wisdom: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. . . . I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:12–14, NLT).

A wise man or woman will hear and increase learning. If we pay close attention to the principles in Proverbs and the whole wisdom and counsel of God in Scripture, we learn what it takes to succeed and avoid failure in the most important spheres of life—in business, in family relationships, and in the community. Through a disciplined, lifelong commitment to hearing, studying, and obeying God’s Word, we acquire wisdom for making the right choices, living well, and pleasing the Lord.