Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 27:5
Proverbs 27:5. Open rebuke is better than secret love— He who takes an ingenuous liberty to tell others of their faults, and rebuke them freely when need requires to their face, is a more valuable friend, though perhaps he may please less, than he who has more of the passion of love in his heart, but makes it not known by such good effects. The parable, says my Lord Bacon, reprehends the soft nature of such friends as will not use the privilege which friendship gives them, in admonishing their... read more
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden."The love that is here made inferior to open rebuke is that, which in the presence of a situation that requires rebuke, "Manifests itself by no rebuking word, and is therefore morally useless."[3] A slight change in the text would give, "a love that conceals," "That does not tell the friend his faults."[4] Toy suggested that emendation. James Moffatt rendered it thus: "Better a frank word of reproof than a love that will not speak."[5] read more