Proverbs 26:1-4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse - Correction is as suitable to a fool, as a whip is for a horse, or a bridle for an ass. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:4

Answer not a fool - On this and the following verse Bishop Warburton, who has written well on many things, and very indifferently on the doctrine of grace, has written with force and perspicuity: "Had this advice been given simply, and without circumstance, to answer the fool, and not to answer him, one who had reverence for the text would satisfy himself in supposing that the different directions referred to the doing a thing in and out of season; The reasons given why a fool should not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest. Snow in summer would be quite unnatural and unheard of (see on Proverbs 25:13 ). Rain falls in the usual course of things only at stated times; whence arose the phrase of "the early and of latter rains" (see on Proverbs 16:15 ). From spring to October or November was the dry season, and a storm at harvest time was regarded, not merely as destructive or inconvenient, but as portentous and even supernatural (see 1 Samuel 12:17 , etc.). The two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-3

Sayings against folly I. THE INAPTNESS OF HONOURS TO THE FOOLISH MAN . ( Proverbs 26:1 .) According to Jerome, it is something unheard of or impossible to experience, rain in the harvest time (see 1 Samuel 12:17 , sqq .). The advancement of the fool appears to all men unseasonable, even shocking. High place reveals the more clearly the smallness of small souls. Honour is the just reward of virtue and ability. Let men be virtuous and wise, that they may be honoured,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-9

Honouring the unworthy There are different ways in which we may honour men, whether the wise or the unwise. We may I. ITS PAINFUL INCONGRUITY . "As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool." To hear a fool attempting lamely to discourse wisdom is suggestive of the motion of a man whose "legs are not equal." For the post of honour to be occupied by one who has disgraced himself by guilty foolishness, or who has neglected his opportunities, and is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-12

Certain proverbs concerning the fool ( kesil ), with the exception, perhaps, of Proverbs 26:2 (see on Proverbs 1:22 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:2

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying. "Bird" ( tsippor ) is the sparrow, which is found throughout Palestine; "swallow" ( deror ), the free flier. The Authorized Version hardly gives the sense. The line should be rendered, as the sparrow in (in respect of) its wandering , as the swallow in its flying . The point of comparison is the vagueness and aimlessness of the birds' flight, or the uselessness of trying to catch them in their course. So the curse causeless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:2

The curse causeless I. GOD WILL NOT HEAR A SINFUL PRAYER . A curse is a prayer. No ode has the power of inflicting direct harm upon his victim by sheer force of malignant words. Only the superstition of magic could suppose any such thing to be possible. A curse is just a prayer for evil to come on the head of the devoted person. But God will not heed such a petition if he disapproves of it. Prayer is not a force that compels God; it is but a petition that seeks his aid, and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:2-3

What to fear Fear enters largely into human experience. It is an emotion which is sometimes stamped upon the countenance so that it is legible to all who look upon it. Under its baleful shadow some men have spent a large part of their life. We may well ask what to fear and how to be delivered from its evil There are some— I. THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN , BUT NEED NOT HAVE BEEN , FEARED . 1 . Men and women have dreaded "the evil eye" of their fellow men. They have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass. We should be inclined to invert the words, and say a bridle for the horse, and a whip for the ass; but it must be remembered that in early times the horse was not ridden, but only driven. The animals used in riding were the ass and mule, and sometimes the camel. The Eastern ass is really a fine animal, larger, more spirited, and more active than the poor creature which we are wont to see. Or the whip and bridle may be intended to apply to both... read more

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