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Proverbs 26:3 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

3 A whip for the horse, a mouth-bit for the ass, and a rod for the back of the foolish.

Cross Reference

Psalms 32:9 BBE

Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...

Proverbs 10:13 BBE

In the lips of him who has knowledge wisdom is seen; but a rod is ready for the back of him who is without sense.

Judges 8:5-7 BBE

And he said to the men of Succoth, Give bread cakes to my people, for they are overcome with weariness, and I am going on after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. But the chiefs of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna even now in your hand that we are to give bread to your army? Then Gideon said, Because of this, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands, I will have you stretched on a bed of thorns of the waste land and on sharp stems, and have you crushed as grain is crushed on a grain-floor.

Proverbs 17:10 BBE

A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.

Proverbs 19:25 BBE

When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.

Proverbs 19:29 BBE

Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.

Proverbs 27:22 BBE

Even if a foolish man is crushed with a hammer in a vessel among crushed grain, still his foolish ways will not go from him.

1 Corinthians 4:21 BBE

What is your desire? is my coming to be with punishment, or is it to be in love and a gentle spirit?

2 Corinthians 10:6 BBE

Being ready to give punishment to whatever is against his authority, after you have made it clear that you are completely under his control.

2 Corinthians 13:2 BBE

I said before, and still say it before I come, as being present for the second time, though I am still away from you, to those who have done wrong before, and to all the others, that if I come again I will not have pity;

Commentary on Proverbs 26 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 26

Pr 26:1-28.

1. The incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied (Pr 17:7; 19:10).

2. Though not obvious to us,

the bird—literally, "sparrow"—and

swallow—have an object in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason.

3. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.

4, 5. Answer not—that is, approvingly by like folly.

5. Answer—by reproof.

6. A fool fails by folly as surely as if he were maimed.

drinketh damage—that is, gets it abundantly (Job 15:16; 34:7).

7. legs … equal—or, "take away the legs," or "the legs … are weak." In any case the idea is that they are the occasion of an awkwardness, such as the fool shows in using a parable or proverb (see Introduction; Pr 17:7).

8. A stone, bound in a sling, is useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.

9. As vexatious and unmanageable as a thorn in a drunkard's hand is a parable to a fool. He will be as apt to misuse is as to use it rightly.

10. Various versions of this are proposed (compare Margin). Better perhaps—"Much He injures (or literally, "wounds") all who reward," &c., that is, society is injured by encouraging evil men.

transgressors—may be rendered "vagrants." The word "God" is improperly supplied.

11. returneth … folly—Though disgusting to others, the fool delights in his folly.

12. The self-conceited are taught with more difficulty than the stupid.

13. (Compare Pr 22:13).

14. (Compare Pr 6:10; 24:33).

15. (Compare Pr 19:24).

16. The thoughtless being ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.

17. meddleth—as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.

18, 19. Such are reckless of results.

20, 21. The talebearers foster (Pr 16:28), and the contentious excite, strife.

22. (Compare Pr 18:8).

23. Warm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware.

24. dissembleth—though an unusual sense of the word (compare Margin), is allowable, and better suits the context, which sets forth hypocrisy.

25. Sentiment of Pr 26:24 carried out.

seven abominations in his heart—that is, very many (compare Pr 24:16).

26, 27. Deceit will at last be exposed, and the wicked by their own arts often bring on retribution (compare Pr 12:13; Ps 7:16; 9:17, &c.).

28. Men hate those they injure.

A lying tongue—"lips" for the persons (compare Pr 4:24; Ps 12:3).