Temimus Prevents a Downfall:
Rav Yitzchok of Amshinov zy”a (quoted in Sefer Siach Chasidim) would say: “The main thing is that ‘one who walks with temimus, will walk with security’ (Mishlei 10:9).”
He explained this pasuk to be referring to those who say a chapter of Tehillim, learn a piece of Gemara and are constantly joyful.
Shlomo Hamelech was the smartest man in history and lived his life on a very lofty level. He testified that someone on his level is sometimes successful and sometimes not. There is always a danger that he can err and lose everything. But if one serves Hashem with simplicity, he can “walk securely” because he will never lose.
Rav Yitzchok further explains that the sin of the eitz hada’as was caused by the first snake, who was more clever than any other animal. He was an “oiber chochom”, which is the opposite of a tamim. Therefore, the way to rectify this sin is to live with temimus.
We also see that Esav was a big chochom but he had no success as a result of his wisdom. The Arizal goes so far as to say that he reached a higher level of wisdom than Yaakov Avinu. Still and all, he remained a rasha. Yaakov, however was an “ish tam”. Because he lived with temimus, he merited achieving a life of emes and kedusha.
