Warnings against refusal So, in connection with the preceding section, we may take these words. I. EVERY REFUSAL OF WISDOM IMPLIES THE PREFERENCE OF THE OPPOSITE . It implies that the associations of folly are more congenial than those of sound sense ( Proverbs 9:6 ), which is a preference of death to life, in its effect. II. THE SCOFFING HABIT IS AN INDICATION OF FOLLY . ( Proverbs 9:7 .) Under the general head of fools come scoffers and... read more
The penalty and promise of instruction It is not only the function of the minister of Christ to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort" ( 2 Timothy 4:2 ); the "man of God" is to be so furnished from Scripture as to be able to administer "reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness" ( 2 Timothy 3:16 .17). But instruction, especially when it takes the form of correction, has its penalty as well as its recompense. I. THE PENALTY OF INSTRUCTION . ( Proverbs 9:7 , Proverbs... read more
These verses form a parenthesis, showing why Wisdom addresses only the simple and foolish. She giveth not that which is holy unto dogs, nor casteth pearls before swine ( Matthew 7:6 ). read more
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee (see the last note, and comp. Proverbs 15:12 , and note there). There are times when reproof only hardens and exasperates. "It is not proper," says St. Gregory, "for the good man to fear lest the scorner should utter abuse at him when he is chidden, but lest, being drawn into hatred, he should be made worse" ('Moral.,' 8.67). "Bad men sometimes we spare, and not ourselves, if from the love of those we cease from the rebuking of them. Whence it is... read more
Reproof I. HOW TO GIVE REPROOF . The duty of reproving is one of the most difficult and delicate ever attempted. The people who are most rash in adventuring upon it too often fall into the greatest blunders, while those who are really fitted to undertake it shrink from the attempt. The mere utterance of a protest is generally worse than useless. It only raises anger and provokes to greater obstinacy. Unless there is some probability of convincing a man of the wrongness of his... read more
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser. The Hebrew is merely "give to the wise," with no object mentioned; but the context suggests "instruction," even though, as in Proverbs 9:8 , it takes the form of rebuke. Vulgate and Septuagint, "Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser" (comp. Matthew 13:12 ; Matthew 25:29 ). To make the best use of all occasions of learning duty, whether they present themselves in a winning or a forbidden shape, is the part of... read more
An open mind There are two classes of minds that seem to be armour proof against the invasion of new light. One contains those people who, to use the phraseology of the Roman Catholic Church, are in a state of "invincible ignorance." The other contains the much more numerous people who know just enough to feel s pride of superiority to their fellows, and who wrap themselves up in the infallibility of self-conceit. To these persons Pope's often misapplied maxim may be fairly appropriated - ... read more
Wisdom returns to the first apothegm and principle of the whole book ( Proverbs 1:7 ). Without the fear of God no teaching is of any avail. The knowledge of the holy is understanding. The word translated "the holy" is קְדשִׁים , a plural of excellence (see on Proverbs 30:3 ) like Elohim, and equivalent to "the Most Holy One," Jehovah, to which it answers in the first hemistich. God is called "Holy, holy, holy" ( Isaiah 6:3 ), in his threefold nature, and as majestic beyond... read more
Digging deep rising high, lasting long (See homilies on Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 3:1-4 .) The fact that we meet with the opening sentence of the text in no less than three other places ( Job 27:1-23 :28; Psalms 111:10 ; Proverbs 1:7 ), gives to it a peculiar significance. It indicates that the Divine Author of the Bible would impress deeply on our minds the truth— I. THAT ON THE FEAR OF GOD , AS ON A SOLID ROCK , ALL HUMAN WISDOM RESTS . Nothing... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:7
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame. He who tries to correct a scorner (see on Proverbs 1:22 and Proverbs 3:34 ), one who derides religion, loses his pains and meets with ribald mockery and insult. It is not the fault of messengers or message that this should be, but the hardness of heart and the pride of the hearer make him despise the teaching and hate the teacher ( Matthew 24:9 ). He that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot; rather, he that reproveth a... read more