Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:5-6
Proverbs 27:5-6. Open rebuke is better than secret love “He that takes an ingenuous liberty to tell others of their faults, and rebukes them freely, when need requires, to their face, is a better friend, a more valuable, though, perhaps, he may please less, than he who hath more of the passion of love in his heart, but makes it not known by such good effects. The parable, says Lord Bacon, reprehends the soft nature of such friends as will not use the privilege which friendship gives them,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:6
The wounds of a friend. The principle implied in this verse is apparent at a glance. It is better that one who loves and truly considers the interests of another should wound him for his good than that a superficial flatterer should refrain from doing so for the sake of pleasing and winning continuous favour. The only difficulties lie in the practical application of the principle. I. TRUE FRIENDSHIP WILL DARE TO WOUND . It is painful and difficult to do that which we know... read more