Proverbs 27:6 - Exposition

Faithful are the wounds of friend . This and the next verse afford examples of the antithetic form of proverb, where the second line gives, as it were, the reverse side of the picture presented by the first. The wounds which a real friend inflicts by his just rebukes are directed by truth and discriminating affection (see Psalms 141:5 ). But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. So St. Jerome, Fraudulenta oscula odientis . But the verb here used ( עתר ) has the meaning, among others, "to be abundant or frequent;" hence it is better to take it in this sense here, as "plentiful, profuse." An enemy is lavish with his Judas kisses to hide his perfidy and hatred. Septuagint, "More to be trusted are the wounds of a friend than the spontaneous ( ἑκούσια ) kisses of an enemy." " Non omnis qui parcia ," wrote St. Augustine ('Ep.,' 48, 'ad Vincent.'), " amicus est, neque omnis qui verberat, inimicus ."