wisdom books. Here are the first seven verses from the Book of Proverbs. (Proverbs 1:1-7). Have you noticed that some messages are self-explanatory? Signs are good examples. Stop. Do Not Enter. Private Property. Keep Out. No Trespassing. No Hunting or Fishing. Many of the verses in Proverbs are like that. That is why in this book I have just listed verses that pertain to a specific topic. As you read them you won't need any explanation. Here is an example. (Proverbs 10:18). This verse requires no explanation. The obvious response from a reader is, "Yes, this is true." Another feature of many verses in Proverbs and indeed also throughout the Scriptures is the use of compare and contrast. Here is an example. (Proverbs 10:23). Interestingly we find in educational research on effective instructional strategies that the technique of compare and contrast has the greatest benefit for learners. In this example, we learn what a fool is and what a fool is not. We learn what a person of understanding is and what a person of understanding is not. This process guides what to not do and guidance for what to do. In addition, in these verses, we can see cause and effect and also often consequences. Look at this example. (Proverbs 17:21). The foolish child causes the effect of no joy for the parent. It does not take much imagination to consider what consequences of the foolish behavior of the child might be that result in no joy for the parent. As you read through the verses be looking for the self-explanatory statements. As you read through the verses be looking for compare and contrast examples. As you read through the verses be looking for examples of cause and effect.