Get Good Advice and You Will Succeed
Proverbs 24 implies the importance of wisdom, diligence, and righteousness. It advises against envying the wicked and encourages building a strong foundation through understanding and knowledge. The chapter highlights the value of perseverance, warning that slothfulness leads to ruin. It also reminds readers to support one another and seek justice, as true success and stability come from living in accordance with God’s principles.
Proverbs 24:6 (ERV) advises, “Get good advice before you start a war. To win, you must have many good advisors.” This sentiment resonates across various translations. The Message (MSG) version emphasises, “Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.” Similarly, the Good News Translation (GNT) simplifies this wisdom into, “Get good advice and you will succeed; don’t go charging into battle without a plan.” The New Living Translation (NLT) concisely states, “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.”
This principle of seeking counsel highlights the crucial role that advice and guidance play in effective planning. It suggests that success is much more attainable when decisions are informed by the wisdom, experience, and knowledge of others. Collaboration and the integration of diverse perspectives not only enhance the quality of a plan but also lead to superior outcomes.
Consulting Others
Consulting experts, mentors, or a well-informed team can unveil critical insights that might otherwise be overlooked. This process encourages thorough deliberation and exploration of various angles before committing to a course of action, thus minimising the risk of failure.
In Luke 14:31 (ERV), Jesus echoes this sentiment: “If a king is going to fight against another king, first he will sit down and plan. If he has only 10,000 men, he will try to decide if he is able to defeat the other king who has 20,000 men.” Similarly, Proverbs 11:14 (ERV) notes, “A nation without wise leaders will fall. Many good advisors make a nation safe.” Proverbs 15:22 (ERV) further cautions, “If you don’t ask for advice, your plans will fail. With many advisors, they will succeed.”
The wisdom of collective insight is celebrated in the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This is complemented by the observation from Plautus that “No man is wise enough by himself.”
In essence, the pathway to success is significantly strengthened by good advice and wise counsel. Whether navigating the complexities of warfare, governance, or personal endeavours, the value of strategic planning and seeking guidance from advisors cannot be overstated. Embracing this approach fosters resilience, adaptability, and, ultimately, success in any venture. Collective wisdom not only fortifies plans but also prepares individuals and communities to face challenges more effectively, leading them to their goals with confidence.