Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:8-10 are verses that talk about learning, about being wise. The first says "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee". This to me is saying that if you try to correct someone who is more of a scorner, who doesn't see what they are doing and doesn't think they are doing anything wrong; they will not listen. They will not learn from it and will simply be upset and have bad feelings toward you. Anger toward you. The second part says that a person who is wise, will accept criticism and learn from it. A wise person will appreciate being able to learn to correct what they were doing or what they were saying. Being wise is a good thing. Accepting constructive criticism or correction helps us to learn and grow.
The second verse says "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning". This one goes very well with the first. It expands on the first. Wise people are willing to learn and want instruction so they can grow. A "just man" is someone who knows what is ethically right or the proper thing to do. If a just person is taught then they will grow in knowledge and will learn more of how to walk the right path.
The third verse says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding". The fear of the Lord means to have deep respect and awe for God's Almighty power and authority. To give the Lord reverence. This verse seems to say that if we fear the Lord then we begin to understand and have wisdom. To have knowledge of the holiness of the Lord brings understanding.
All these verses together are an encouragement to be wise, to learn, to follow the right path, to follow the Lord. When we "fear the Lord" offering the deepest respect and reverence for the Lord, and keep this mindset while studying God's word, it will build our character and help us to grow into the people God wants us to be. Let's all be wise people. Let's all show God the reverence He deserves. Let's choose the right path and continue to learn from the Lord and go towards His light.
So, are you wise?