Proverbs 26

Notes

Ver. 1. Dignity and authority are very ill placed in the hands of foolish and wicked men, who know not how to use them, but will do mischief to themselves and others by them. 2. Causeless curses and imprecations can hurt the innocent no more than the birds that fly over their heads. 3. Obstinate, stupid, and refractory sinners, like beasts, must, by sharp punishments, be restrained from evil, and excited to good. 4. Answer not an ignorant and impertinent fool in his own brawling and reproachful manner, so as to imitate his impertinence. 5. Answer a proud conceited fool with such strength and evidence of reason as may render him sensible of his folly, and check his pride. 6. He who employs fools or rakes in any important business, deprives himself of the advantage he might have expected, and brings much inconvenience and mischief upon himself. 7. As dancing or walking by a lame man would but manifest his lameness, so the pretences of fools to wisdom do but render them the more ridiculous. 8. Honour bestowed upon fools is very unstable and useless, if not mischievous. 9. Grave, holy, and wise sayings upbraid fools for their impertinence and wickedness, however insensible they may be of the sharpest rebukes. 10. God, and even wise princes, punish sins of ignorance and wilful wickedness in a wise, just, and suitable manner. 11. Foolish sinners quickly, and often shamelessly, return to the very sins for which they have been sharply punished, and of which they have before repented, as grievous and hurtful. 12. There is more hope of the amendment of a sottish man, than of one who is so wise and virtuous in his own conceit that he thinks himself above instruction. 13. They who have no mind to labour, never want pretences for their idleness; and their sluggish fancy represents to them the most improbable and insuperable difficulties. 14. It is almost a toil for such to turn themselves on their bed; and though they seem busy, they do nothing to the purpose. Though they move in the formal round of external duties, they are never a whit nearer to heaven. 15. Pretending cold, or inability, they can scarcely apply to any work; and it is almost a burden for them to take their meat. 16. But though they take no pains to acquire knowledge, they look upon themselves as perfect miracles in wisdom, and treat with absolute contempt every argument that can be used to convince them of their mistakes and danger. 17. It is extremely dangerous to engage in other men's quarrels and disputes, which do not belong to us. 18, 19. To wrong our neighbours, by either word or deed, and then pretend that it was in jest, discovers us to be stupidly insolen? and diabolically mad. 20. A proper discouragement of tale-bearers, whisperers, and slanderers, is an effectual mean to prevent contentions, or even to extinguish such as are begun. 21. It is also necessary to avoid contentious persons, who, by their provoking language, kindle up or inflame quarrels, even as one inflamed coal or piece of wood kindles another. 22. The wounds given to men's characters, business, and spirits, by calumnies slyly and secretly spread, are extremely painful and hurtful, and sometimes will scarcely admit of a cure. 23. Malicious and angry language corresponds very well with an envious and wicked heart; and notwithstanding their fine show, scarcely anything is more detestable than affectionate words when used to cover hatred and enmity of heart; nor will the dissimulation pass long undetected. 24-26. Nothing is more common in the world than dissembled professions of regard and affection; and yet nothing more base, and in the end more hurtful and ignominious, to the user. 27. They who labour to destroy their neighbours, whether by fraud or violence, involve themselves in the very mischiefs which they had intended for others. 28. Liars and slanderers chiefly hate those whom they have slandered, fearing that they may avenge themselves; and also those who confute their slanders. And flatterers ruin men by drawing them into proud, rash, and pernicious courses.

Ver. 2. As wandering will never bring the bird home, and as flying will never bring the swallow to rest, so the curse without a cause will never light upon the head of the innocent object of the curser's enmity. C.

Ver. 19. If there be one practical advice more important than another, it is this: 'Never speak a word but in truth—be always in earnest:' a loose jest may 'set the table in a roar;' no harm may be meant; but no good is intended: it is therefore sin. And as a firebrand, thrown at random, may destroy a splendid palace, so may a thoughtless jest ruin a fair reputation.—Note, Children, look to a God of truth—speak words of truth—never jest at the expense of truth—be always in earnest. C.

Ver. 23. Silver dross is ordinarily lead, with which the cheapest kinds of earthenware are covered by the potter while immersed in a burning furnace. 'Burning lips' are not 'lips breathing warmth of affection,' but 'words that burn' up reputations (see ver. 24), and which are often covered over, and even ornamented as with 'silver dross.' Yet as a 'potsherd' shall they be dashed to pieces, when men 'by their words shall be justified, and by their words shall be condemned.' C.