Note, 1. It is the character of a wise man that he is very willing to
be reproved, and therefore chooses to converse with those that, both by
their words and example, will show him what is amiss in him: The ear
that can take the reproof will love the reprover. Faithful friendly
reproofs are here called the reproofs of life, not only because they
are to be given in a lively manner, and with a prudent zeal (and we
must reprove by our lives as well as by our doctrine), but because,
where they are well-taken, they are means of spiritual life, and lead
to eternal life, and (as some think) to distinguish them from rebukes
and reproaches for well-doing, which are rather reproofs of death,
which we must not regard nor be influenced by. 2. Those that are so
wise as to bear reproof well will hereby be made wiser (ch. ix. 9), and
come at length to be numbered among the wise men of the age, and will
have both ability and authority to reprove and instruct others. Those
that learn well, and obey well, are likely in time to teach well and
rule well.