The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
A servant who deals wisely has the king's favour,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.Proverbs 14:32-35
The 'his' in 'his death' in 32 refers not to the death of the wicked but to that of the righteous himself, and the meaning is that the righteous has hope even when he dies. Not even death disturbs his hope, on the contrary his hope and faith carry him through it. A man who has understanding and wisdom (33) will not blurt out all sorts of things willy-nilly - as for example in the matter of confidences committed to him. It is the fool who cannot keep his mouth shut. In this sense one cannot be a fool in secret; one's foolishness will out, and often, alas, in a most mischievous way. What is said in 34 is, in the last analysis, the ultimate test of governments and systems. The real issue is not whether a government can improve the unemployment problem or the balance of payments, but whether it stands for righteousness, whether in its legislation it is being informed and directed by the laws of God or merely by prudential considerations. Integrity is the real issue, and should be the only true criterion. There is a real moral in 35 (following the RSV rendering), and it is this: If you want to get on in life (is there a link here with 34?) you have to live worthily, because unworthy living always gets the rap sooner or later. As Kidner puts it, ''The saying is a bracing reminder not to blame luck or favouritism but one's own shortcomings, for any lack of recognition'. Moffatt gives the sense well: 'The king favours an able minister; his anger is for the incompetent'. There is a tremendous realism in this: we are all tempted from time to time to evade the real issue in a situation. But Proverbs challenges us to take a long hard look at ourselves and come to terms with ourselves. This is often the first step - and indeed the only way - to real recovery.