Proverbs 29:5 - Exposition

A man that flattereth his neighbour ; says only what is agreeable, applauds his words and actions indiscriminately, and makes him think too well of himself he is no true friend (see Proverbs 28:23 ). Spreadeth a net for his feet; his stops ( Proverbs 26:28 ; Job 18:8 , etc.). If a man listens to such flattering words, and is influenced by them, he works his own ruin; self-deceived, he knows not his real condition, and accordingly makes grievous disaster of his life. The LXX . gives a different turn to the sentence, "He that prepareth a net before his friend entangles his own feet therein" (comp. Proverbs 26:27 ; Proverbs 28:10 ).