What does it mean to be shrewd?

1.Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.

2. Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.

3. Sharp; penetrating: a shrewd wind.

Basically what the proverb is saying is, that those who are sharp minded will know what they are doing, but others will be fools.

That is when you are bitten by a shrew. A shrew is a small soil dwelling rodent. The term "shrewd" actually comes from the old English term "shrewed." You see, farmers in the middle ages loved these creatures at first, because they helped to plow up the fields. It was later found that these creatures were attracted to houses by the smell of food. When they came into the houses, they seemed to love to bite people. During this time the black plague was spreading through the country. Shrews were the # 1 carriers. After being bitten, there was no chance of survival. So you see, to be shrewed is to be doomed to death.

senile - showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning. Especially short-term memory and alertness, as a result of old age or disease. shrewd - showing good judgement; wise. "The shrewd businessman, made a good investment." shrewd - sly, cunning or tricky. "The shrewd attorney used his skill to keep his guilty client out of jail."

Here's the dictionary definition of shrewd.

- Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective, -er, -est. 1. astute or sharp in practical matters: a shrewd politician.

2. keen; piercing.

3. artful.

4. Archaic. malicious.

5. Obsolete. bad.

6. Obsolete. shrewish.

I'd say the definition that fits best with that scripture is "keen".

quick, discerning, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, keen; discriminating, intelligent.

1. Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.

2. Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.

3. Sharp; penetrating: a shrewd wind.

hese adjectives mean having or showing keen awareness, sound judgment, and often resourcefulness, especially in practical matters. Shrewd suggests a sharp intelligence, hardheadness, and often an intuitive grasp of practical considerations: "He was too shrewd to go along with them upon a road which could lead only to their overthrow" (J.A. Froude).

Sagacious connotes prudence, discernment, and farsightedness: "He was observant and thoughtful, and given to asking sagacious questions" (John Galt).

Astute suggests shrewdness, especially with regard to one's own interests: An astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease.

Perspicacious implies penetration and clear-sightedness: She is much too perspicacious to be taken in by such a spurious argument. See Also Synonyms at clever.

Shrewd means to make sound judgement..

using ones wisdom and discernment to make wise decisions..rather than act foolishly with over confidence..

hope this helps... : x )

you can look up Bible gateway on-line at all the different versions to help you get a better understanding...

I've been shrewd. One fell inside my wellie once, on a river bank whilst paint-balling. Sadly, the shrew came off worse.

Cunning, boxing clever,one step ahead.

Intelligent, in most cases, though some think it means conniving.

Funny to find that in the bible, the most spread abroad foolishness in history....

It means to be careful with your money.