林迪斯法恩（Lindisfarne）也稱聖島，是英格蘭的一個潮汐島，藉由一條狹窄的道路與本島相連。每天有兩個時段，海水會淹沒道路。路旁的告示牌提醒遊客，在漲潮時行經此路非常危險。但仍不時有遊客無視警告，結果就是車子被海水淹沒，不得不坐在車頂，或是游到高處的安全小屋，等待救援。其實潮汐就像日出一樣，既可預測也可確定時間。警告標誌隨處可見，遊客不可能沒看到。然而，正如一位作家所說：「林迪斯法恩是行事魯莽的人試圖勝過漲潮的地方。」

箴言告訴我們，行事魯莽便是愚昧（14章16節）。一個魯莽衝動的人很少會接受智慧或明智的建議，也不會細心或殷勤地照顧別人（7-8節）；相反地，智慧會讓我們放慢步伐去傾聽和思考，不會因一時衝動或不成熟的想法而行差踏錯（16節）。智慧教導我們凡事三思而後行，魯莽的人橫衝直撞，不顧人際關係或後果，甚至不顧事實真相，而「精明的人卻步步謹慎」（15節，新譯本）。

雖然，有時我們需要果斷或迅速地採取行動，但卻不可行事魯莽。當我們接受並遵行上帝的智慧教導時，祂會在我們需要時賜下所需的指引。

Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island in England connected to the mainland by a narrow road. Twice a day, the sea covers the causeway. Signs alert visitors to the dangers of crossing during high tide. Yet, tourists regularly disregard the warnings and often end up sitting atop submerged cars or swimming to raised safety huts where they can be rescued. The tide is predictable, as sure as the rising sun. And warnings are everywhere; you can’t possibly miss them. Yet, as one writer described, Lindisfarne is “where the reckless try to outrace the tide.”

Proverbs tells us that it’s foolish to be “reckless and careless” (14:16 esv). A reckless person has little regard for wisdom or wise counsel and doesn’t practice attentiveness or diligent care for others (vv. 7-8). Wisdom, however, slows us down to listen and ponder so that we’re not carried away by rash emotions or half-baked ideas (v. 16). Wisdom teaches us to ask good questions and consider the implications of our actions. While reckless people charge forward with little regard for relationships or consequences—or often truth—“prudent [people] give thought to their steps” (v. 15).

While we’ll sometimes need to act decisively or swiftly, we can resist recklessness. As we receive and practice God’s wisdom, He’ll give us the guidance we need when we need it.