Living and learning should be synonymous terms, so interconnected as to be indistinguishable. Whether the learning comes through dedicated study and instruction or whether it comes through the observation of other’s lives, each moment is an opportunity to learn. The fundamental, root trait of a learner’s spirit is humility, an awareness and acceptance that I do not possess all the information and wisdom I need at this moment in time, and I will continue to have a need for more wisdom as long as I live. With this spirit comes real wisdom. Life then becomes not just an endless series of random events void of meaning. Instead, life is viewed as belonging to God, and the events of life are God’s means of teaching. Viewed this way, the exposure and punishment of the fool is not just an interesting story to share or to gawk at. Instead, it reminds of the frailty of the human condition, the folly of sin, and the need for redemption and grace. It is the intentional acknowledgement of God in the story that brings such wisdom. There is also an encouragement in this verse to those who are weary in instruction and punishment that does not seem productive. The encouragement is this: Continue being faithful. Someone is watching, someone is listening, and someone is learning. It may not be the one receiving correction or rejecting instruction. But someone is observing and becoming wise as the result of your faithfulness.