We meet the simple man as early as in Proverbs 1:4, where we see that this type of person is especially found among the young. The simple man is inexperienced and gullible. It is not that he does not have intellect. It is rather that his heart stands open for good and evil influences. In Proverbs 7:1–27, we see how easily he is misled by an adulterous woman.
This type of person is not only found among the young and inexperienced. There are many uncritical adults who believe blindly whatever is told them on TV and in the newspapers. They may have much knowledge, but very little wisdom. Where does this uncritical blindness come from? It comes when we lose the only good measure of good and evil: the Word of God. The young person who is at home in God’s Word will not believe any word he hears. He will be critical, because he will know the deceitfulness of the human heart (Mark 7:20–23). He will not be cast to and fro by every wind of teaching (Ephesians 4:14). In this proverb, such a person is called “prudent.”
15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.