"A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool." -Proverbs 17:10, KJV

Those who are smart will take advice the first time rather than have to have it beaten into them with punishment. In the workplace, this may be as simple as taking a small hint from your boss instead of waiting until you are suspended or reprimanded. In school, this might just be taking the hint from your teacher instead of waiting to receive a detention (or other punishment). The verse itself is fairly self-explanatory; so which are you: wise man or fool?