Words of wisdom carry hidden layers and an endless supply of insight. The nature of this wisdom, how it is stored within the human soul, and the effort required to access it can be understood through the imagery of water. A person of true strength [רש״י], widely understood to be a wise individual, speaks words that are pure, refreshing, and impossible to grasp with just a superficial glance [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The secrets of such wisdom are like deep waters, highlighting the difficulty of reaching their ultimate meaning. Just as drawing water from a deep well demands hard work and the right tools, bringing out the wisdom hidden deep within the soul requires great effort [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. Sometimes, this depth is entirely intentional. A wise person might speak in riddles and parables to hide their true meaning from those who are not worthy, ensuring that only people with true understanding can grasp the message [עמנואל הרומי].
In contrast to a deep, hard-to-reach well, wisdom is also compared to a flowing stream and a constant source. A stream is not deep; it flows on its own and brings water to a person without requiring any hard work [מלבי״ם באור המילות, אלשיך]. This reflects how true wisdom is eternal and never runs dry. The more people draw from it, the more the heart continues to produce and share insight [רלב״ג, אבן עזרא]. In fact, when a wise person speaks sparingly but with great depth, it is a sign that a constant stream of wisdom flows within them [עמנואל הרומי].
There are different ways to understand how wisdom can be both a deep, hidden well and an easily flowing stream. One approach views this as an internal human struggle. Wisdom is naturally planted in the soul and should flow freely, but physical desires and bodily impulses bury it deep inside, forcing a person to work hard to bring it to the surface [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective separates different types of knowledge. General knowledge that falls outside of divine teachings requires great effort to understand, while the wisdom of God's teachings acts like a flowing stream, naturally reaching and enlightening the student [מצודת דוד].
On a practical level, having an internal source of wisdom also helps in uncovering the truth. When a person faces hidden and complex situations, they do not need to struggle to pull the truth out. By simply listening patiently to others, the truth will eventually reveal itself, flowing out naturally drop by drop like a steady stream [אלשיך].