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The Wise Person Pauses and Considers His Ways

Proverbs 12:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but the one listening to counsel is wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: The way (דֶּרֶךְ derek) is a course of conduct, a way of life, behavior that is foolish. Fools (אֱוִיל evil / כְּסִיל kesil) hate knowledge as they lack good judgment. Their character is stupidity and rudeness, one who completely lacks understanding and is rebellious in his ways. (Prov. 1:22) The Foolishness: (אִוֶּלֶת ivveleth) of the foolish one, who has the trait of acting stupidly or rashly because he is devoid of wisdom or understanding, the Hebrew noun focusing on the evil behaviors which occur in this state. In his own eyes means that this fool thinks he is right. Namely, his opinions, conduct, and behavior do not need to be corrected or improved.

but the one listening to counsel is wise: The Hebrew term (shama) rendered listening means to listen, to hear, to pay close attention, and respond, heed, or obey on the basis of having heard. (Prov. 5:12) Counsel (עֵצָה etsah) is God’s advice or counsel that gives one direction in order to make a decision or follow a course of action. (2 Sam. 15:34; Hos. 10:6; Ps 13:3; 106:43) It also refers to a plan, scheme, or purpose where one considers a course of action, which often includes consulting a counselor or advisor. Wise; shrewd: (Heb. chakam) is one who has the capacity for understanding and discernment (Prov. 10:8), who has acquired the teachings of wisdom, whom we can trust to guide us. – Proverbs 3:35.

No one can be wise without accurate knowledge. No human knows everything. At some point, every one of us needs to listen to good counsel and heed it some time in our lives. For any of us to reject the good counsel of one who possesses accurate knowledge and much experience, as did King Rehoboam, is the height of folly. (1 Ki 12:8) If we do not have enough Bible knowledge to make a biblically informed decision, he should seek counsel from a trusted person. However, it is our responsibility to grow in Bible knowledge over time. While it is fine for a while to accept the good counsel and rely on the good judgment of the spiritually mature brothers and sisters in the Christian congregation, it is our obligation to grow spiritually through accurate knowledge of God’s Word. – John 17:3.