“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.” — Psalm 49:10
“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” — Proverbs 12:1
Psalm 49 reminds us that death is the great equalizer. The wise man dies. The fool dies. The brutish man dies. Wealth cannot rescue. Position cannot shield. Reputation cannot redeem.
But Proverbs 12:1 reveals what separates the wise from the brutish before they die: The wise love instruction. The brutish hate correction. The word brutish speaks of someone acting like a beast — driven by instinct, pride, and stubbornness. A beast resists correction. A wise man receives it. The difference between wisdom and folly is not intelligence — it is teachability.
Teachability determines destiny. You cannot avoid death (Psalm 49:10), but you can avoid being brutish (Proverbs 12:1). A humble heart today shapes your eternal reward tomorrow.
Pharaoh — A Brutish Heart
In Exodus 5–14, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart. God sent warning after warning. Plague after plague. Opportunity after opportunity.
But Pharaoh hated reproof. “And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also…” (Exodus 8:32).
Though he had power, wealth, and authority, he perished in the Red Sea. Like Psalm 49:10 declares, he left it all behind. He was not ignorant — he was unwilling. Brutishness is not lack of evidence — it is refusal of correction.
The Rich Young Ruler — A Resistant Spirit
In Mark 10:17–22, a wealthy young ruler came to Jesus asking about eternal life. He appeared sincere. Moral. Religious. But when Jesus corrected him — exposing his love of riches — he went away sorrowful.
He loved wealth more than instruction. He was close to salvation — but resisted reproof. Psalm 49:10 says wealth will be left behind. Proverbs 12:1 says hatred of correction reveals a brutish heart. He walked away rich — but empty.
Ask yourself: Do I resist correction? Do I become defensive when reproved? Do I love instruction — or merely tolerate it?
A wise man may stumble — but he listens.
A brutish man protects his pride — and destroys himself.
Death comes to all.
But wisdom belongs to those who love reproof.