“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
My Notes
What Does Proverbs 13:20 Mean?
Solomon states a principle of companionship: walk with wise men and you become wise. Accompany fools and you will be destroyed. The company you keep determines the person you become.
The word "walketh" implies ongoing, habitual association — not a one-time encounter. The transformation happens through sustained companionship. You become like the people you consistently walk with.
"Shall be wise" — the wisdom is transmitted through proximity. You absorb it. You inhale it. The wise men you walk with gradually shape your thinking, your decisions, your character.
"A companion of fools shall be destroyed" — the destruction is the mirror image. Consistent association with fools does not just make you foolish. It destroys you. The stakes are not just intelligence. They are survival.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who are the 'wise men' you are walking with — and what wisdom are they transmitting?
- 2.Where are you companioning with fools whose influence is leading toward destruction?
- 3.How does sustained companionship gradually transform character?
- 4.What changes in your associations would shift the trajectory of your life toward wisdom?
Devotional
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise. You become who you walk with. Not immediately. Gradually. The people you spend consistent time with shape your thinking, your decisions, your character. Walk with the wise and wisdom rubs off.
But a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Not just become foolish. Destroyed. The company of fools does not just lower your IQ. It wrecks your life. The destruction is the inevitable consequence of sustained association with those who reject wisdom.
The principle is observational: look at the people in your life. The ones you walk with habitually — are they wise or foolish? Because their character is becoming your character. Their destination is becoming your destination.
The choosing of companions is one of the most consequential decisions you make. Not who you meet occasionally. Who you walk with — the consistent, daily, habitual associations that shape who you are becoming.
Who are you walking with? If you look at the five people you spend the most time with and evaluate their wisdom — that is a preview of your future. Walk with the wise and you will be wise. Companion with fools and you will be destroyed.
The choice is yours. The consequence is guaranteed.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise,.... Who is a companion of them that fear the Lord; converses frequently…
Note, 1. Those that would be good must keep good company, which is an evidence for them that they would be good (men's…
He that walketh Or (with a change of Heb. vowel points), Walk with wise men and be wise.
destroyed Lit. be broken. See…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture