To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. "Subtilty," shrewdness, not in the sense of worldly cunning, but that knowledge which will put one on his guard against the subtle snares of the world; as Jesus told His disciples, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). The "simple" are the inexperienced, those "who want understanding" (Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 14:15). The antithesis to "subtilty" requires this sense, rather than the good sense, as guilelessly simple and teachable (Psalms 19:7; Psalms 116:6). Though it is true that the guileless and childlike are the fittest for receiving divine truth (Matthew 11:25). "To give" here beautifully answers "to receive" (Proverbs 1:3). Plato's school bore the inscription over the doors, 'Let no one not acquainted with geometry enter here.' Solomon's invitation, on the contrary, is, 'Let the simple and untutored enter here.' While, in Proverbs 1:2-3, all are welcome "to receive the instruction of wisdom" (Proverbs 1:2), "the young man" especially is invited, as most needing it. The philosophers excluded the young as unfit for their recondite teachings. But the wisest of men stoops to the humblest-a type of the infinitely Wise Teacher, who embraced little children in His arms (Matthew 18:3-4; Matthew 19:14-15). "Discretion" - literally, device, invention (as it is translated Proverbs 8:12), meditation, thoughtful prudence, whereby to avoid what is wrong and choose what is right. "Knowledge" distinguishes between truth and falsehood. "Discretion" х mªzimaah (H4209)], or thoughtful prudence, distinguishes between what is honourable and what is base, and chooses the former.