Proverbs 21:20 Meaning There Is Precious Treasure and Oil

The dwelling here is the mind itself, and what it holds depends on which teacher keeps the house. The mind at peace stores up a quiet richness that cannot be spent, because it is not made of anything the world can take, and it keeps its supply by giving it away. The other mind treats its inheritance as though it were coin, pouring out its peace on grievances and small wars, and wakes each day to find the store gone, never guessing that it emptied itself.

What is truly kept is kept by being shared, and what is squandered is squandered by being hoarded and defended.

Treasure and oil: the peace and abundance held within the mind, the inner wealth that grows by being given and cannot be used up Dwelling of the wise: the mind that has chosen love for its teacher, the household kept in quiet where the true riches are safe

Paññā: Wisdom that sees clearly

The seeing that knows what is worth keeping. "The dwelling of the wise" holds treasure and oil because wisdom stored them there on purpose, providing for the dark and the lean day before it came. It looks down the road and lays something by while there is still time.

Appamāda: Heedful care that does not let go

The steady watchfulness that guards what matters. Oil kept in the house is that care made plain, the lamp filled before nightfall so the light will hold. It is the hand that tends the store a little each day instead of trusting the store to tend itself.

Pamāda: Heedlessness, the sleep of the careless

The slackness that squanders what it was given. "A foolish man spendeth it up," pouring out oil and treasure with no thought of the empty jar to come. He burns the whole lamp in an afternoon and sits in the dark, surprised.

Bāla: The fool who cannot weigh things

The person who takes the near pleasure over the lasting good. The fool empties the dwelling because the oil pleases him now and the coming night means nothing to him yet. He trades the long warmth of a tended fire for one bright, brief blaze.