While I agree that the Bible contains ancient wisdom some of which still holds true today, but I wonder if people today really comprehend the wisdom.
A penny saved is a penny earned; is pretty clear what is meant.
Now take the verse you shared from Proverbs.
Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding. (Complete Jewish Bible)
By itself what does that sentence say? Not what you've been told it says, but what does it really say?
Trust Adonai for what? Don't rely on our own understanding of what?
By itself the sentence doesn't really say anything specific. When we read the chapters and verses preceding that verse we see that the writer was concerned with right and wrong behavior.
Look at the very beginning of Proverbs.
1 The proverbs of Shlomo the son of David, king of Isra'el, 2 are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight; 3 for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair; 4 for endowing with caution those who don't think and the young person with knowledge and discretion. 5 Someone who is already wise will hear and learn still more; someone who already understands will gain the ability to counsel well; 6 he will understand proverbs, obscure expressions, the sayings and riddles of the wise. (Complete Jewish Bible)
Even though individuals tend to have their own sense of right and wrong, we are governed by laws of the society we live within and the laws of Moses were "corporate" laws for the Hebrews taught to each child through the generations.
The problem with quote mining is that the original meaning can be lost and many alternative meanings can be applied to suit ones own purposes.
Is it really a truism for individuals not to ever rely on their own sense of right and wrong? There are times when the government is wrong. Even though the Torah is the basis for the Jewish lifestyle, the Jewish community has still changed over time. Whose sense of right and wrong determines the change?
"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz
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