One thing that I've learned about proverbs is that they have a trait that is shared by parables: they are almost meaningless without the wisdom to interpret them and apply them to your life. For example, i have no idea what it means to "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1), but if I did, this would probably be good advice, advice that one would be wise to listen to. When one can interpret proverbs and parables in a useful way, those sayings and stories can help a person make better decisions. If you have enough wisdom (and creative thinking) to learn from proverbs and parables, they can help you become more wise.
It sometimes seems a bit strange that such good advice is sometimes hidden in such riddles and cryptic sayings, but it's nice to know that there is great wisdom available to us, if only we have the wisdom to grasp it.
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