The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:9
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
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:8
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