The two are complete opposites. Wisdom offers a value far above temporal gains (Prov. 8:10-11, 19). Wisdom is what governs great leaders (Prov. 8:15-17). It is little wonder that wisdom was first depicted to creation by God when He crafted the universe (Prov. 8:22-31). Wisdom creates and constructs from a timeliness invaluable position. Blessed are all those who live according to it (Prov. 8:32-36). Proverbs 8 concludes by reminding the reader that this bears theological implications, that the person who submits to wisdom’s call will inevitably find life and favor from God (Prov. 8:35). In Proverbs 9 Lady Wisdom presents everything you would want in a companion. She builds a sure house (v. 1), prepares a bountiful table to feed many (v. 2), invites all to join her (vv. 3-6), she even offers council consistent with her successes (vv. 7-12). Everything she is and aims to do is rooted in the foundational point of her “fear of the Lord” (v. 10). 

The same can’t be said of Dame Folly. She is the person you try to avoid, for no one likes this boisterous and obnoxious lady. She is loud and outspoken but doesn’t know anything or have anything to add to the conversation (v. 13), she sits around and calls out to anyone simple enough to be duped (vv. 14-17). What does she have to offer? Nothing. Those who go to her know nothing and will never know anything, they are guests of the lifeless (v. 18). 

Wisdom provides shelter. Folly takes shelter. Wisdom provides a feast. Folly promises delicacies but delivers none. Wisdom provides council. Folly preys on the simple and leaves them worse than she finds them. 

These metaphors are vivid and painful to consider. Thinking through them in a relationship-personified capacity puts them in the real world with the implications that inevitably come from that. We’ve all known friends and family who have listened to the council of folly and been persuaded to ruin their lies by drinking from a poisoned cistern. Wisdom is offered to rebalance us, to refocus us upon fearing the Lord and seeking to imitate Him in our lives.