Generally, I dislike the book of Proverbs with its lack of theological content, its long lists of platitudinous advice, its “do this” and “don’t do that.” Pick up your socks. Be nice to salesclerks. It doesn’t hurt to be nice. Proverbs is something like being trapped on a long road trip with your mother, or at least with William Bennett.35 Our understanding of the nature of wisdom in the book of Proverbs is that it is more than practical advice for how to live in the world. Wisdom is ethical and