Bad Joke

Proverb 10:23

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, 
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. 

This proverb strikes at the root of what distinguishes the wise person from the fool. It is not intellectual ability. It is not education or training. It is what gives a person pleasure.


The fool takes pleasure in doing wrong. It is a joke to him, which is the highest level of pleasure that a fool attains. The fool cannot comprehend the concept presented in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” No, the fool finds pleasure only in mocking such concepts.

But the person of understanding pursues wisdom and everything in the above list because he delights in them. He does not pursue them for the respect he will win by them, or to fit in with the culturally elite, or through them to gain riches. No, he enjoys them for their own sake.

Such pleasure may not come naturally, or at least takes some effort to cultivate. Indeed, much of what is truly excellent takes some effort to recognize. The reason is due to the sin that is in us, which dulls our senses and makes it difficult to both recognize what is of value and then to enjoy it. Sin and delighting in sin come easy to us. Wisdom and righteousness do not. Take time to cultivate the latter and you will find a deeper, more satisfying pleasure.