Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

It takes skill to discover what others really think. What wise men think could help you succeed. What fools think could cost you dearly. Only a man of understanding will have the ability and patience to extract personal plans and opinions out of others.

The simile here compares a deep well, where the water lies well below the surface of the ground. In order to obtain the water, significant ingenuity and labor must be put forth to reach so far down and bring the water to the surface. Only creative and diligent persons will identify the means and put forth the effort. Most will look elsewhere for easier water.

There are reasons it takes similar skill to draw counsel out of others. First, they may fear letting their opinions be known. Second, they may by godliness and graciousness be modest men, and though gifted, reticent and slow to speak and discuss. Third, they may be planning sinful things, and to admit their thoughts would be to condemn themselves.

There is a positive and negative side to this proverb’s lesson. The positive application is your benefit or need to extract prudent and practical advice from wise counselors for your safety or success. The negative application is your need to discover dangerous plans lurking in the hearts or minds of those that could harm others, themselves, or you.

Good counsel from a multitude of wise advisors is necessary for your success – this is one of the most important rules of wisdom, which Solomon often repeated (⁠Pr 11:14⁠; ⁠12:15⁠; ⁠15:22⁠; ⁠19:20⁠; ⁠20:18⁠; ⁠24:6⁠). It is a very precious thing – like good cologne rejoicing the heart – to get hearty counsel from a friend (⁠Pr 27:9⁠; ⁠24:26⁠; ⁠15:23⁠; ⁠25:11-12⁠).

But obtaining such counsel may be difficult, for true wise men are also godly and sober, not willing to speak until asked properly for the right reasons (⁠Pr 10:19⁠; ⁠15:2⁠,⁠28⁠; ⁠17:27⁠; ⁠29:11⁠). There are also shallow wells and foaming fountains, but they are to be compared to the cackling noise of fools pouring out only folly (⁠Pr 15:28⁠; ⁠29:11⁠,⁠20⁠; ⁠Eccl 10:12-14⁠).

If the wise counselor is fearful (it could be for many reasons), you should respectfully assure him that you appreciate any advice he might give, that you will use it discreetly, and that there are no strings attached and no liability or obligation on his part. You should be very cautious to criticize his advice. Let him advise you, not the other way around.

If the wise counselor is modest (it could be either appropriately or excessively), you should remind him that you need him, that he has the years, experience, or reputation for wisdom, and that you are obeying Solomon’s wisdom to ask him. You should provide sufficient background to assist his analysis and thank him well for anything he offers.