What does Proverbs 9:11 mean?

Wisdom (Proverbs 8:1–4; 9:1–6) extends one's life. This is not presented as an absolute promise of safety or health for all people, in all times. The context is much the same as a doctor who tells a patient, "eat healthy food and you will live longer." Compared to a life lived in sin and ignorance, the person who lives by godly wisdom has a better likelihood of experiencing blessing and avoiding negative consequences.

A life of obedience to God's instructions is a good life. It is marked by peace, joy, significance, and fellowship with the Lord. The person who chooses wisdom sets themselves on a path much more likely to involve both quantity of years and quality of life.

Nothing else can compare to the life granted by godly wisdom. Solomon himself went through a period of looking for the meaning to life. He sought for it in such things as self-indulgence, possessions, fame, and work, but concluded: "Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God" (Ecclesiastes 8:12–13). Solomon ends Ecclesiastes by counseling his readers: "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Generally speaking, the earlier a person gains wisdom by fearing the Lord, the better and longer his life will be.