Proverbs 29:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:9

A wise man is here advised not to set his wit to a fool?s, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from him: If a wise man contend with a wise man, he may hope to be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side, to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and make it issue amicably; but, if he contend with a foolish man, there is no rest; he will see no end of it, nor will he have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man ,.... Enters into a controversy with him, either by word or writing, in order to convince him of his folly and wickedness, of his errors and mistakes; whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest ; that is, either whether the fool is angry with the wise man, and rages at him and abuses him, and calls him names, or laughs at him, and scoffs at all his arguments, reasons, and advice; yet the wise man does not cease from proceeding in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:9

Whether he rage or laugh - Coverdale translates, "Yf a wyse man go to lawe with a foole, whether he deale with him frendly or roughly he geteth no rest." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:8-10

The senselessness of scorn, etc Here is a triplet of truths we may gather from these three texts. I. THE SENSELESSNESS OF SCORN . ( Proverbs 29:8 .) To be of a scornful spirit, to bestow scornful looks, to use scornful language,—this is gross folly. 1 . It is utterly unbecoming . Not one of us is so removed above his fellows as to be entitled to treat with entire disregard what they may have to say or what they propose to do. 2 . The wisest men , and even the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:8-11

Dishonourable passions Such is the designation given by St. Paul (see Revised Version of the New Testament, Romans 1:26 , etc.) to the various workings of the evil leaven in the soul. Here is a description of some of these "lusts." I. SCOFFING . ( Proverbs 29:8 .) Set on fire of hell, it inflames others, disturbs the peace of communities, produces failures and tumults in public life. But wisdom calms, and turns all things to the best. The scoffer, the malevolent critic of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man —if a wise man has a controversy, either legal or social, with a wicked fool— whether he rage ( is angry ) or laugh, there is no rest. It is a question whether the wise man or the fool is the subject of this clause. St. Jerome makes the former the subject, Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur, sive rideat, non inveniet requiem . It matters not how the wise man treats the fool; he may be stern and angry, he may be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 29:9

Proverbs 29:9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man Debating any matter with him, or endeavouring to convince him of any error; whether he The wise man, rage ( is angry) or laugh That is, whether he deal sharply and severely with him: rebuking him for his folly, or mildly and pleasantly, smiling at it; there is no rest No end or fruit of the debate; the fool will not be satisfied nor convinced. Thus Bishop Patrick: “Let a man be never so wise, it is to no purpose for him to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-27

Authority with justice (29:1-27)Many themes that we have already met in Proverbs are repeated in this section: stubbornness, good and bad government, family values, prostitution, justice, flattery, cunning and concern for the poor (29:1-7). Scoffers are more than just fools; they are trouble-makers. They are not open to reason and cannot control their temper (8-11).Unjust rulers oppress innocent citizens, and the rich persecute the poor, but good and bad alike receive the blessings that God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 29:9

foolish. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 29:11 , Proverbs 29:20 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:9

"If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.""The subject of the second line is uncertain; but the proverb seems to be a warning against a wise man's going to law with a fool."[10] "When an intelligent man brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive."[11] "If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."[12] The RSV is superior here. read more

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