If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life. read more
The serpent will bite without enchantment - לחש בלא belo lachash , without hissing. As a snake may bite before it hiss, so also will the babbler, talkative person, or calumniator. Without directly speaking evil, he insinuates, by innuendoes, things injurious to the reputation of his neighbor. Gif the eddir bite in silence, noyhing lasse than he hath that privily backbiteth - Old MS. Bible. "A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that styngeth without hyssynge." -... read more
The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself. read more
A man cannot tell what shall be - A foolish babbling man will talk on every subject, though he can say as little on the past, as he can on the future. read more
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it. This proverb occurs in Proverbs 26:27 , and, as expressive of the retribution that awaits evil-doers, finds parallels in Psalms 7:15 , Psalms 7:16 ; Psalms 9:15 ; Psalms 10:2 ; Ecclesiasticus 27:25, 26. The" pit" ( gummats, ἅπαξ λεγόμενον ) is such a one as was made to capture wild animals, and the maker of it is supposed to approach it incautiously, and to fall into it. But the scope of our passage is rather to speak of what may... read more
Section 13. Various proverbs expressing the benefit of prudence and caution, and the danger of folly . The connection with what has preceded is not closely marked, but is probably to be found in the bearing of the maxims on the conduct of the wise man who has incurred the resentment of a ruler, and might be inclined to disaffection and revolt. They are intentionally obscure and capable of a double sense—a necessary precaution if the writer lived under Persian despots. read more
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith . It is natural to consider this clause as suggested by the breaking of a wall in the preceding verse; but as this would occasion a jejune repetition, it is better to take it of the work of the quarryman, as in 1 Kings 5:17 , where the same verb is used. The dangers to which such laborers are exposed are well known. Here, again, but unsuccessfully, some have seen a reference to the removal of landmarks, comparing 2 Kings 4:4 , where the word... read more
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge . The illustration at the end of the last verse is continued. The "iron" is the axe used in cutting wood; if this be blunted by the work to which it is put, and he, the laborer, has not sharpened the edge (Hebrew, the face, as in Ezekiel 21:1 ), what is the consequence? How is he to carry on his work? Then must he put to more strength . He must put more force in his blows, he must make up for the want of edge by added power and weight.... read more
The last proverb of this little series shows the necessity of seizing the right opportunity. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment. The Authorized Version is not quite correct. The particle אם , with which the verse begins, is here conditional, and the rendering should be, If the serpent bite, etc.; the apodosis comes in the next clause. The idea is taken up from Ecclesiastes 10:8 . If one handles a serpent without due precaution or without knowing the secret of charming... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:9
Whoso removeth stones - This verse teaches care and caution. Whoever pulls down an old building is likely to be hurt by the stones; and in cleaving wood many accidents occur for want of sufficient caution. read more