A person who has true understanding realizes that he is far from perfect. Thus, he does not resist rightful rebuke. He does not see it as a challenge threatening to injure him, but rather that such rebuke is directed to specific areas in his life that need correction. He delights to be free from the slavery of his sin. That is why he accepts rebuke, both outwardly and in his heart, so that it may truly change him. A fool hardens himself against words of rebuke, and even against the outward blows of discipline. He remains addicted to his foolishness, which kills him and hardens his heart against godly correction. Which of these two people do we tend more to resemble?
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.