Passages like this are the basis for the paradoxes Jesus often used: To him who has wisdom, more shall be given. The obvious point is a matter of human nature. The fundamental quality at issue here is moral sensitivity.
When Lady Wisdom calls, the morally aware will respond. This is life; this is gaining a better grasp on reality. It’s sweet and filling to those who live from their hearts instead of from mere intellect. The human mind cannot reason its way to moral truth. Wisdom’s banquet of truth feeds the soul through the moral faculty of the heart. Those who are morally insensitive will resent the offer. Implied is the necessity of using harsh law enforcement on such fools. It’s enough to tell the morally alert when they have made a mistake, but the morally vacant must be forced to avoid threatening social stability in their heedless rush to satisfy personal lusts.
Contrast this to the whore named Folly. A mere polite invitation won’t work for fools. It requires something that appeals to their lower natures, either pain avoidance or pleasure seeking. Folly’s home is built on the grave of human sorrow and disaster.
It’s not as if all we have to worry about are brazen women. This is the standard Hebrew hyperbole, because ruling wisely is more art than skill. We can take for granted that Solomon’s primary audience are those vested with leadership responsibilities. The Hebrew culture presumes that the ideal adult will consistently manifest the shepherd’s heart, constantly watching and guarding against threats to moral instability in the community. There is more than one kind of moral seduction.
