This episode surveys descriptions of the second level fool described in Proverbs, the “eviyl fool.” Unlike the pethey fool who is very teachable, to the point of credulity, the eviyl fool despises wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15), and he hates correction. The insecurity of eviyl fools often manifests in quarrelsome behavior: they’re not content to be right in their own eyes, for they need to be right in the eyes of others. “Any fool will quarrel.” (Proverbs 20:3) Correcting an eviyl fool accomplishes little. “When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, the foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.” (Proverbs 29:9) Wisdom is a threat to fools who hate correction, so predictably rage and/or scoffing are designed to protect the fragile self-image of the fool. This fool is so resistant to correction, that foolishness doesn’t depart, “though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain.” (Proverbs 27:22)
