{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/jfb/pro026.htm","path":"bib/cmt/jfb/pro026.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/pro026.htm","text":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]\nThe incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied (Pro 17:7; Pro 19:10).\nThough not obvious to us,\nthe bird--literally, \"sparrow\"--and\nswallow--have an object in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason.\nThe rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.\nAnswer not--that is, approvingly by like folly.\nAnswer--by reproof.\nA fool fails by folly as surely as if he were maimed.\ndrinketh damage--that is, gets it abundantly (Job 15:16; Job 34:7).\nlegs . . . 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; Pro 17:7).\nA stone, bound in a sling, is useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.\nAs 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.\nVarious 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.\ntransgressors--may be rendered \"vagrants.\" The word \"God\" is improperly supplied.\nreturneth . . . folly--Though disgusting to others, the fool delights in his folly.\nThe self-conceited are taught with more difficulty than the stupid.\n(Compare Pro 22:13).\n(Compare Pro 6:10; Pro 24:33).\n(Compare Pro 19:24).\nThe thoughtless being ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.\nmeddleth--as in Pro 20:19; Pro 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.\nSuch are reckless of results.\nThe talebearers foster (Pro 16:28), and the contentious excite, strife.\n(Compare Pro 18:8).\nWarm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware.\ndissembleth--though an unusual sense of the word (compare Margin), is allowable, and better suits the context, which sets forth hypocrisy.\nSentiment of Pro 26:24 carried out.\nseven abominations in his heart--that is, very many (compare Pro 24:16).\nDeceit will at last be exposed, and the wicked by their own arts often bring on retribution (compare Pro 12:13; Psa 7:16; Psa 9:17, &c.).\nMen hate those they injure.\nA lying tongue--\"lips\" for the persons (compare Pro 4:24; Psa 12:3).","title":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Proverbs: Proverbs Chapter 26","type":"page"}