1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!
4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
20 For lack of wood a fire goes out; Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 26
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).