Proverbs 13:1

1. A wise son, etc. There is no verb in this clause, and the translators have anticipated the verb heareth, of the next clause. This is with difficulty allowable here, for the verb in the second clause is negative, and in this is made affirmative. There is another mode, preferred by competent critics, of rendering the first clause: “A wise son is one who has been instructed by his father,” (so Stuart, Conant, etc.,) or, retaining the original and more specific meaning of the word, one who has been restrained by his father: and rendering the second clause thus: But one who is a scorner has not listened to rebuke. As much as to say, Whenever you see a truly wise man (wise in the sense of this book, compare Proverbs 1:7) you may be sure that he is one who in his youth had suitable parental training, discipline, correction; but when you see a scoffer an arrogant, conceited, wicked man you may be certain he is one who, when young, either did not receive, or would not profit by, rebuke. Comp. Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 9:7; Proverbs 17:10.