Proverbs 20:6
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I think Proverbs 20:6 seems pretty straight forward, but it leaves some room for inference or reading between the lines because it poses a question: but a faithful man who can find?
To me it seems like it is suggesting that reliable friends are extremely rare or don't exist at all. On a long enough timeline, all friendships will waiver at different points, but in the overall long arc of the history of a friendship it's possible to remain committed to success to the end.
It is unclear to me if the writer of this proverb, I assume this is king Solomon, is suggesting that if you fail at any point to be reliable then whole relationship is unreliable or if it's better to find an honest person that admits their faults upfront, but still offers their loyalty.
I am going with the latter.
To me it seems like it is suggesting that reliable friends are extremely rare or don't exist at all. On a long enough timeline, all friendships will waiver at different points, but in the overall long arc of the history of a friendship it's possible to remain committed to success to the end.
It is unclear to me if the writer of this proverb, I assume this is king Solomon, is suggesting that if you fail at any point to be reliable then whole relationship is unreliable or if it's better to find an honest person that admits their faults upfront, but still offers their loyalty.
I am going with the latter.
My take,
// A majority opinion or common acceptance or selfish motives or cultural aspect or large population vote
Many a man
// Saying to other people this what I am about. The major point is that a person is talking about his steadfast love. This could indicate from a selfish perspective that you're saying you're loyal loving person, however, your actions don't match your words.
proclaims
his own steadfast love,
// Character perhaps. Not only do people know me by my actions but then I can proclaim with a right motive.
but a faithful man who can find?
I get a couple of things from this verse. Two big take aways.
1) Saying and doing are two separate things. Hypocrisy and other descriptive words of that nature can be describe. A lot of people would rather say things to look good and lie about it.
2) faithful man is rare. Someone that makes a commitment and sticks with it. I am gonna follow through with my words and actions.
This verse can fit a number of situations.
// A majority opinion or common acceptance or selfish motives or cultural aspect or large population vote
Many a man
// Saying to other people this what I am about. The major point is that a person is talking about his steadfast love. This could indicate from a selfish perspective that you're saying you're loyal loving person, however, your actions don't match your words.
proclaims
his own steadfast love,
// Character perhaps. Not only do people know me by my actions but then I can proclaim with a right motive.
but a faithful man who can find?
I get a couple of things from this verse. Two big take aways.
1) Saying and doing are two separate things. Hypocrisy and other descriptive words of that nature can be describe. A lot of people would rather say things to look good and lie about it.
2) faithful man is rare. Someone that makes a commitment and sticks with it. I am gonna follow through with my words and actions.
This verse can fit a number of situations.
hmm I ponder this Proverb often when I ask God well how come Im not with anyone? He always gets me back here
I do think a man that admits his faults is probably better than a man that tries to hide them or always paints himself in a good light, which many men do.
I remember when working in a male dominated envronment, men just dont like to admit to others they feel weak, or vulnerable, they would rather boast in their acheivements and take pride in what they have accomplished. Even if the man is a criminal, they then boast about all the far out crimes they have done to look 'good' in front of their crim friends. I guess many men cant get away from one-up manship. Its the competetive nature of being the alpha or top dog I suppose. Or maybe their family name, or how rich they are or how much they earn.
Then you have someone like Paul from the Bible boasting about his weakness and that he has no friends and was thrown in jail and got whipped etc. Should that mean more men ought to say 'well Im a loser! Im am broke/unemployed and Ive never won a sports trophy or donated a million dolllars to charity. But I'm staying faithful to God'
its a funny proverb. Maybe men that dont talk about themselves all the time are the ones that are truly faithful.
I do think a man that admits his faults is probably better than a man that tries to hide them or always paints himself in a good light, which many men do.
I remember when working in a male dominated envronment, men just dont like to admit to others they feel weak, or vulnerable, they would rather boast in their acheivements and take pride in what they have accomplished. Even if the man is a criminal, they then boast about all the far out crimes they have done to look 'good' in front of their crim friends. I guess many men cant get away from one-up manship. Its the competetive nature of being the alpha or top dog I suppose. Or maybe their family name, or how rich they are or how much they earn.
Then you have someone like Paul from the Bible boasting about his weakness and that he has no friends and was thrown in jail and got whipped etc. Should that mean more men ought to say 'well Im a loser! Im am broke/unemployed and Ive never won a sports trophy or donated a million dolllars to charity. But I'm staying faithful to God'
its a funny proverb. Maybe men that dont talk about themselves all the time are the ones that are truly faithful.
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I don't think that this is what Paul was actually saying, but you probably know that. And even then, didn't he say he was speaking as a fool or something? If we talk about our persecutions at least it reminds other people that they are not alone. we're supposed to be able to count it as a joy to share in Christs persecution... but to most people, I don't think that sounds very fun.
I imagine people in general tend to think of themselves as kind, and loving, and so on- they believe they are good people, so that's what they tell others. Nobody is like "yeah, I'm a bad person. Stay away from me. I will stab you in the back the first chance I get!" You can't easily find a trustworthy person because it's like finding a specific piece of hay in a haystack.
I imagine people in general tend to think of themselves as kind, and loving, and so on- they believe they are good people, so that's what they tell others. Nobody is like "yeah, I'm a bad person. Stay away from me. I will stab you in the back the first chance I get!" You can't easily find a trustworthy person because it's like finding a specific piece of hay in a haystack.
i have heard of some people comisserating that they were unhappily single with each other and then they had this idea like hey were are both miserable, how bout we both be miserable...together! Then they both just decided to get married pretty quick.
lol
like...Chandler and Monica
of course by that point in the tv show they werent broke or unemployed so they could afford stuff like hanging round in a coffeeshop talking rubbish lol
Usually its pubs where people gather to do that though. You can have rather interesting conversations in the pub if you dont drink too much. But if you drink you probably wont remember what you said anyway.
lol
like...Chandler and Monica
of course by that point in the tv show they werent broke or unemployed so they could afford stuff like hanging round in a coffeeshop talking rubbish lol
Usually its pubs where people gather to do that though. You can have rather interesting conversations in the pub if you dont drink too much. But if you drink you probably wont remember what you said anyway.