The emphasis here is on a listening ear. How nice it is when someone has an open ear for words of wisdom. A person who takes the words to heart and works with them. That person is also willing to let himself be corrected. How beneficial this can be! Another proverb is fitting here:
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence
(Proverbs 15:32). The one thing—the wise admonition—belongs to the other thing—the listening ear. The smartest trainer in sport can only forge a winning team when the players are willing to be formed by him.
It is significant that the book of Proverbs, already in its first chapter, calls for listening intently to the words of the wise. Proverbs 1:5 says, Let the wise hear and increase in learning.
Proverbs 1:9 follows up with, For they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
It is beautiful when wise admonitions find a listening ear. As the one author says, Eloquent words—even reprimands—are like precious, well-crafted works of art.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.