The naive believe everything! ∙
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 22:3
Proverbs 14:15-16
15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
The Simpleton Archetype in Folklore
Throughout history and across cultures, stories of simpletons have been told and retold. A simpleton is often portrayed as someone who lacks common sense or intelligence, and their foolish, nonsensical actions are the foundation of many folktales. These tales usually serve as humorous cautionary stories, highlighting the absurdity of simple-minded behavior.
Recurring Themes in Simpleton Stories
Simpleton tales share common themes of:
- Lack of Logic: Actions that defy reason or practicality.
- Literal Thinking: A failure to grasp nuance or context.
- Unintended Humor: Situations that are funny because of their absurdity.
These stories often exaggerate the simpleton’s behavior to entertain and, at times, to teach lessons about the value of wisdom and common sense.
Tales of Simpletons
The Simpleton and the Heavy Load
A simpleton once rode his horse to market, carrying two bushels of wheat and one bushel of corn. Concerned about overloading his horse, he strapped the two bushels of grain to the animal but decided to carry the bushel of corn on his own shoulders.
To him, this seemed like a clever solution. He rode all the way to the market with the corn on his shoulders, never realizing that the horse was still bearing the full weight of the load.
The Simpleton and the Embalmer
When a simpleton’s father passed away, the dutiful son took the body to the embalmer. Upon returning to retrieve his father, he found several bodies in the same place, all looking identical.
The embalmer asked if his father had any distinguishing characteristics to help identify him. The simpleton replied, “He had a cough.”
The Buttered Bread Mystery
A young wife experienced an extraordinary event one morning. After buttering a slice of bread, she accidentally dropped it on the floor. To her astonishment, it landed buttered side up.
It’s widely believed, almost like a law of physics, that buttered bread always falls buttered side down. Confused by this unexpected outcome, she sought the wisdom of the town’s elders.
The wise men and elders spent several days deliberating her case. Finally, they summoned the young woman and delivered their conclusion: “Young woman, you buttered the wrong side of the bread.”
Mystery solved!
The Wisdom of Folktales
While these stories are entertaining and make us laugh, they also serve as cautionary tales. They also encourage us to reflect on our own actions. Do we think before we act and seek wisdom in every situation? They highlight the importance of wisdom, common sense, and critical thinking. As Forrest Gump famously said, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Psalms 111:10 offers timeless wisdom: “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.”
Father, I desire to be wise and wiser still. Help me to lay aside the ways of the simpleton and seek Your wisdom in all things. Teach me to think clearly, act wisely, and honor You with my decisions.
INSIGHT
The Meaning of Simpleton in Scripture
The Hebrew word translated as “naive or simpleton,” pethi, is derived from the verb pata, which conveys the idea of “being open, spacious, or expansive.” While this might sound positive, in the context of a simpleton, “it refers to someone whose mind is so open that they lack discernment.”
The naïve are:
- Naive and Gullible: Easily led astray and persuaded.
- Immature and Silly: Lacking the ability to discern right from wrong.
- Willfully Ignorant: Not just uninformed but resistant to learning and wisdom.
Impressionable and Trusting – Easily Influenced and Exploited
Their minds are highly receptive to the influence and manipulation by others, making them susceptible to deception and foolishness. Sadly, the situation is worse than it seems. They are not only ignorant but also uninformed; they are willfully and naively ignorant.
They tend to actively resist knowledge and wisdom, and their spiritual and moral understanding is hindered. This prevents them from understanding the truth or benefiting from God’s discipline. Ironically, they are unaware of their own spiritual condition. They are immature and dull in hearing and understanding, making them unreceptive to spiritual insights. Simpletons often believe their own perspective is correct and infallible, convinced they have all the answers. Could it be that they refuse to learn and grow, leading them to a life of foolishness and poor decisions?
The Company They Keep
The situation worsens due to the company they keep. Simpletons often associate with mockers and fools, which further reinforces their immaturity and resistance to wisdom.
Proverbs 1:22, asks the question, “How long, you simpletons, will you continue being simpleminded? How long will you mockers continue to mock? How long will you idiots despise knowledge?”
This aligns with 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good morals.’”
The Good News: A Path to Wisdom – Repentance
However, there is also good news. There is a solution. The condition of the simpleton is not hopeless. A simpleton can decide to be wise and sensible. Repentance, that is, a change of heart, is the key to transformation.
Psalms 19:7 offers hope: “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
God is eager to meet us where we are and guide us toward wisdom. He desires for us to walk with Him and live in truth.
Wisdom Through Practice
Developing wisdom requires effort and practice. As Hebrews 5:14 explains, “Solid food is for the mature, who through practice have trained their senses to discern good and evil.”
By consistently seeking God’s truth and applying it to our lives, we develop our ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
Wisdom’s Urgent Appeal
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman making a heartfelt plea to the naive Proverbs 1:23-25, 33: “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
Building on the Foundation of God’s Truth
True wisdom and skill for living start with God, according to Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” This foundation gives us direction, even when the world around us seems foolish.
The story of the simpleton warns us, but it also gives hope. No matter how lost we feel, God invites us to return to Him, to gain wisdom, and to live with purpose and peace. To grow and change, we need to open our hearts and minds to God. Turning to Him leads us to wisdom. We gain wisdom through effort and careful choices.
The journey from foolishness to wisdom begins with a single step: turning to God. He is ready to guide us and help us reflect His truth and glory.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 