What does Proverbs 10:13 mean?

A major theme of the book of Proverbs is the danger of ignoring godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 19, 32–33; 6:12–15, 32). Listening to those who teach truth is a path to wisdom, and those teachings are worth following. Those who reject such wise advice are bound to suffer the consequences, eventually. A common English proverb echoes this by saying, "life is hard, but it's harder when you do stupid things." Whether through cause and effect, relationships, or government, those who lack sense can expect hardship.

When Jesus ministered on earth, He spoke wisely, and His words carried divine authority. Multitudes gathered to hear Him teach because He spoke with authority. Mark 1:22 relates that, when Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the people "were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes." Mark 12:37 reports that on another occasion, "the great throng heard him gladly." Those who follow Him recognize that His words are those that bring eternal life (John 6:66–69).

By contrast, in the last times "some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). At His return, the Lord will punish those who have spoken harsh things against him (Jude 1:14–15). The eternal fate of those who ignore the Word of Life, Christ, will be tragic.