Proverbs 17:11

11. An evil man An evil citizen.

Seeketh… rebellion Endeavours to promote disorders in society and insubordination to law. A cruel messenger, etc. Such men may expect, sooner or later, the vengeance of the government. See on Proverbs 6:11; Proverbs 24:24. Some interpreters transpose the subject and predicate in the first clause, and render, “Rebellion seeks only evil;” or, the rebellious seek, etc. Critics and versions are about equally divided here. Conant sustains the common version. Miller reads, “Only rebellion goes in search of evil, and has a cruel messenger sent by its very self.”