---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 26"
description: "CHAPTER 26   :-. 1. The incongruities of nature
illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/26"
---

CHAPTER 26

.

**1.** The incongruities of nature
illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is
also implied ([Proverbs 17:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/7); [Proverbs 19:10](../../../kjv/proverbs/19/10)).

**2.** Though not obvious to us,
**the bird**—literally,
"sparrow"—and
**swallow**—have an object
in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason.

**3.** The rod is as much needed by
fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for
beasts.

**4, 5. Answer not**—that is,
approvingly by like folly.

**5. Answer**—by reproof.

**6.** A fool fails by folly as
surely as if he were maimed.
**drinketh damage**—that
is, gets it abundantly ([Job 15:16](../../../kjv/job/15/16);
[Job 34:7](../../../kjv/job/34/7)).

**7. legs . . . equal**—or, "take
away the legs," or "the legs . . . are weak." In any
case the idea is that they are the occasion of an awkwardness, such
as the fool shows in using a parable or proverb (see ;
[Proverbs 17:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/7)).

**8.** A stone, bound in a sling, is
useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.

**9.** As vexatious and unmanageable
as a thorn in a drunkard's hand is a parable to a fool. He will be as
apt to misuse is as to use it rightly.

**10.** Various versions of this are
proposed (compare *Margin*). Better perhaps—"Much He
injures (or literally, "wounds") all who reward," &c.,
that is, society is injured by encouraging evil men.
**transgressors**—may be
rendered "vagrants." The word "God" is improperly
supplied.

**11. returneth . . . folly**—Though
disgusting to others, the fool delights in his folly.

**12.** The self-conceited are
taught with more difficulty than the stupid.

**13.** (Compare ).

**14.** (Compare [Proverbs 6:10](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/10);
[Proverbs 24:33](../../../kjv/proverbs/24/33)).

**15.** (Compare ).

**16.** The thoughtless being
ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.

**17. meddleth**—as in [Proverbs 20:19](../../../kjv/proverbs/20/19);
[Proverbs 24:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/24/21); as either holding a
dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in
another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of
reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.

**18, 19.** Such are reckless of
results.

**20, 21.** The talebearers foster
([Proverbs 16:28](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/28)), and the
contentious excite, strife.

**22.** (Compare ).

**23.** *Warm professions* can
no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude
earthenware.

**24. dissembleth**—though an
unusual sense of the word (compare *Margin*), is allowable, and
better suits the context, which sets forth hypocrisy.

**25.** Sentiment of carried out.
**seven abominations in his
heart**—that is, very many (compare ).

**26, 27.** Deceit will at last be
exposed, and the wicked by their own arts often bring on retribution
(compare [Proverbs 12:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/13); [Psalms 7:16](../../../kjv/psalms/7/16);
[Psalms 9:17](../../../kjv/psalms/9/17), &c.).

**28.** Men hate those they injure.
**A lying tongue**—"lips"
for the persons (compare [Proverbs 4:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/24);
[Psalms 12:3](../../../kjv/psalms/12/3)).

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