Contradictions and Paradoxes in Proverbs 21:17

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Proverbs 21:17 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Proverbs 21:17. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Solomon, people who only care about having fun and enjoying fancy things like wine and oil might end up not having much money. It's like if you spend all your money on toys and sweets, you might not have enough left for important things you need.

Proverbs 21:17: He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. [pleasure: or, sport]

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 2:24

This verse implies that enjoying life, eating, and drinking is from the hand of God, which contrasts with Proverbs 21:17 that warns against loving pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 2:24: [There is] nothing better for a man, [than] that he should eat and drink, and [that] he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it [was] from the hand of God. [should make...: or, delight his senses]

Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:17

This verse indicates that God gives us richly all things to enjoy, conflicting with the admonition against loving pleasure in Proverbs 21:17.

1 Timothy 6:17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches]

Contradiction with Psalm 104:15

This verse speaks positively of wine that gladdens the heart, which contradicts the warning in Proverbs 21:17 about hedonism.

Psalm 104:15: And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart. [oil...: Heb. to make his face shine with oil, or, more than oil]

Contradiction with Luke 15:23-24

This passage describes a celebration with eating and drinking to rejoice the return of the prodigal son, contrasting with the caution against loving pleasure in Proverbs 21:17.

Luke 15:23-24: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Here, enjoying life and the fruits of one's labor is portrayed as a gift from God, contradicting the counsel against pleasure in Proverbs 21:17.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13: I know that [there is] no good in them, but for [a man] to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Paradox #1

A possible contradiction with Proverbs 21:17 could be the Bible's teaching on enjoying life and celebrating with food and wine. While Proverbs 21:17 warns about indulging in pleasure, other parts of the Bible, like Ecclesiastes 9:7, encourage enjoying food and drink as a part of life. This could seem inconsistent as the messages about enjoying life and the risks of pleasure might appear to clash.

Paradox #2

Proverbs 21:17 suggests that loving pleasure and luxury too much can lead to poverty. The potential contradiction could be that other parts of the Bible celebrate joy and enjoying God's gifts, which might seem at odds with the idea of avoiding pleasure. Balancing enjoying life while not becoming greedy or indulgent might seem inconsistent.

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