(7) The legs of the lame are not equal.—Better, perhaps. The legs hang down from a lame man, and so is a parable (useless) in the mouth of fools; they can make no more use of it for the guidance of themselves or others, than can a lame man use his legs. (Comp. Luke 8:10.) read more
(8) As he that bindeth a stone in a sling . . .—i.e., the stone is soon gone from the sling and seen no more, so honour and a fool soon part company. This seems on the whole the most probable rendering of this verse. read more
(9) As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard.—Rather, (As) a thornbush (which) comes into the hand of a drunkard, so (is) a parable (which comes) into the mouth of fools. They know not how to use it, and only do themselves and others harm by it. (Comp. 2 Peter 3:16.) read more
(10) The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.—If this rendering of the passage could stand, Matthew 6:2 might be quoted in illustration of it. If fools and transgressors will set their mind upon “husks” (Luke 15:16) instead of the food God has provided for His children, He does not deny it to them; they have the reward they seek for. But the Hebrew can hardly yield this meaning. Of all the various renderings suggested, perhaps the most... read more
(11) So a fool returneth to his folly.—Though he knows it to be folly, and ruinous to him: but vice has become to him a second nature, and he cannot, even if he would, escape from it. This is especially true of those who have given way to drink or impurity of life. read more
(12) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit.—Comp. the warnings of Romans 12:16, and Revelation 3:17-18.There is more hope of a fool than of him.—So the “publicans and harlots,” who had foolishly strayed from God, yet returned to Him at the preaching of the Saviour, while the Pharisees and lawyers “rejected the counsel of God against themselves” (Luke 7:30), thinking they had no need of it. read more
(13) The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way . . .—See above on Proverbs 22:13. read more
(15) The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom.—See above on Proverbs 19:24. read more
(16) Seven men.—A round number. (Comp. Proverbs 26:25; Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 24:16.)That can render a reason—i.e., give a sensible judgment on any matter submitted to them. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 26:6
(6) Cutteth off the feet.—He wants his business done, but if he sends a fool to do it, he might as well cut off his messenger’s legs, for the business will not be transacted; nay, worse than this, he will “drink damage,” i.e., suffer positive mischief from the blundering of his emissary. read more