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The slothful man described, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/26-13.htm" title="The slothful man said, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets....">Proverbs 26:13-16</a></span>. The character of a contentious man, and of a busybody, and tale-bearer, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/26-17.htm" title="He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears....">Proverbs 26:17-23</a></span>. The evil of hypocrisy and lying, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/26-24.htm" title="He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;...">Proverbs 26:24-28</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> <span class="bld">As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; </span> unbecoming and unseasonable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">So honour is not seemly for a fool, </span> because he neither deserves it, nor knows how to use it, but his folly is both increased and publicly manifested by it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="2"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-2.htm">Proverbs 26:2</a></div><div class="verse">As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.</div> <span class="bld">By wandering</span> from place to place; by its perpetual restlessness it secures itself from the fowler, that he cannot shoot at it, nor spread his net over it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Shall not come, </span> to wit, upon the innocent person, but he shall escape from it like a bird, &c. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="3"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-3.htm">Proverbs 26:3</a></div><div class="verse">A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.</div> <span class="bld">A bridle</span> was very proper and usual for an ass, when they rode upon it, (as the Jews most commonly did,) though not to restrain him from running away, which is the principal use of it in horses, yet that the rider might rule and guide him, which was very necessary for that stupid creature. Although the ancient interpreters render it a <span class="ital">goad</span>, or spur, or something of the like nature and use. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A rod for the fool’s back; </span> which is most proper and necessary for him. Not words, but blows, must make him better. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="4"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-4.htm">Proverbs 26:4</a></div><div class="verse">Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.</div> How can these contrary rules be reconciled, <span class="ital">answer</span> him <span class="ital">not</span>, and <span class="ital">answer him</span>? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Answ</span>. Easily, by considering the difference of persons, and times, and places, and other circumstances, and of the manner of answering. And such seemingly contradictory precepts are not only used by, but are esteemed elegant in, other authors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Answer him not, </span> when he is incorrigible, or when he is inflamed with passion or wine, &c., or when it is not necessary, nor likely to do him good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Answer him, </span> when he is capable of receiving good by it, or when it is necessary for the glory of God, or for the discharge of a man’s duty, or for the good of others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">According to his folly; </span> so as to imitate his folly, by such passionate, or reproachful, or foolish speeches as he useth to thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Be like unto him; </span> show thyself to be as great a fool as he. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="5"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-5.htm">Proverbs 26:5</a></div><div class="verse">Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.</div> <span class="bld">According to his folly; </span> so as his folly needs and requires, convincing him strongly, reproving him sharply, exposing him to just shame, and correcting him with a rod, when he deserves it, and thou hast a just power to use it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Lest he be wise in his own conceit; </span> lest thy silence make him arrogant and presumptuous, as if his words were unanswerable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="6"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-6.htm">Proverbs 26:6</a></div><div class="verse">He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, <i>and</i> drinketh damage.</div> <span class="bld">He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, </span> he that employeth a fool upon any important errand or business which is too hard for him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">cutteth off the feet, </span> to wit, of his messenger; he bids one go that wants legs; he sends one who wants that discretion, which is as necessary for that employment as legs are for going. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Drinketh damage; </span> he bringeth upon himself abundance of loss and mischief, not only spoiling that business about which he sends him, but making himself contemptible to the person to whom he sends him, and to others with him, as if he had not common prudence to choose a fit messenger, and giving occasion, by the folly of his messenger, to further misunderstandings, and jealousies, and inconveniences. For the phrase, we may observe that drinking in Scripture frequently notes the plentiful doing or receiving of any thing, as they who multiply sins are said to drink iniquity like water, <span class="bld"><a href="/job/15-16.htm" title="How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinks iniquity like water?">Job 15:16</a> 34:7</span>; and they who are greatly afflicted are commonly said to drink the cup. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="7"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Proverbs 26:7</a></div><div class="verse">The legs of the lame are not equal: so <i>is</i> a parable in the mouth of fools.</div> <span class="bld">The legs of the lame are not equal, </span> Heb. As (which note of similitude is plainly understood from the particle so in the following clause) <span class="ital">the legs of the lame are lifted up</span>, to wit, in going, or rather in dancing, which is done with great inequality and uncomeliness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">So is a parable in the mouth of fools; </span> no less absurd and indecent are wise and pious speeches from a foolish and ungodly man, whose actions grossly contradict them, whereby he makes them contemptible, and himself ridiculous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="8"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Proverbs 26:8</a></div><div class="verse">As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so <i>is</i> he that giveth honour to a fool.</div> <span class="bld">As he that bindeth a stone in a sling; </span> whereby he hinders his own design of throwing the stone out of it; or, who fastens it there only for a season, that he may speedily and violently throw it away. Or, as it is rendered in our margin, and by many others, <span class="ital">As he that putteth</span> a precious <span class="ital">stone</span> (Heb. <span class="ital">a stone</span>, which is oft emphatically used for a precious stone, both in Scripture, as <span class="bld"><a href="/exodus/39-10.htm" title="And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.">Exodus 39:10</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-8.htm" title="And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.">1 Chronicles 29:8</a></span>, and elsewhere, and also in other authors) <span class="ital">in an heap of stones</span>, where it is obscured and lost. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">So is he that giveth honour to a fool; </span> no less absurd is he that giveth to a fool that honour and praise which he is not capable either of receiving, or retaining, or using aright, but it is quite wasted upon him, and doth him more hurt than good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="9"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Proverbs 26:9</a></div><div class="verse"><i>As</i> a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so <i>is</i> a parable in the mouth of fools.</div> <span class="ital">As a thorn is in a drunkard’s hand, </span> which he cannot hold and manage cautiously, but employeth to his own and others’ hurt, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">so is a parable in the mouth of fools; </span> as improper and unprofitable, and, by accident, hurtful to himself and others. <span class="bld">See Poole "<a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm" title="The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.">Proverbs 26:7</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="10"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Proverbs 26:10</a></div><div class="verse">The great <i>God</i> that formed all <i>things</i> both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.</div> God, who is oft called <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">great, </span> as <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/86-10.htm" title="For you are great, and do wondrous things: you are God alone.">Psalm 86:10</a> 135:5</span>, &c., and is described by the name of <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">the Most High, </span> as <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/9-2.htm" title="I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, O you most High.">Psalm 9:2</a> 21:7</span>, &c., who created all things, and therefore observeth and governeth all men and things, will certainly give that recompence which is meet for and deserved by <span class="ital">fools and transgressors</span>, i.e. by such as sin either through ignorance and heedlessness, or wilfully and wickedly. Or, as it is the margin, <span class="ital">A great man</span> (a prince or potentate, who are called by this title, <span class="bld"><a href="/esther/1-8.htm" title="And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.">Esther 1:8</a> <a href="/daniel/1-3.htm" title="And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;">Daniel 1:3</a></span>, &c.) <span class="ital">grieveth</span> (as this word is used, <span class="bld"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm" title="Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?">Isaiah 51:9</a> 53:5</span>, and elsewhere) all, (to wit, all that are subject to him, or all that stand in his way) he hireth (as this word most commonly signifies) the fools, he hireth also transgressors. So the sense is, It is the manner of many princes to vex and oppress their subjects, which because they cannot do by themselves alone, they hire others, both fools, who do not know or consider what they do, and transgressors, who are ready to execute all their commands, right or wrong, that they may be their instruments in that work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="11"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Proverbs 26:11</a></div><div class="verse">As a dog returneth to his vomit, <i>so</i> a fool returneth to his folly.</div> <span class="bld">As a dog returneth to his vomit, </span> to lick up that which he had lately vomited, forgetting how burdensome and vexatious it was to him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">so a fool returneth to his folly; </span> such like is the impudence and madness of sinners, who having smarted for their sins, and been forced to forsake them far a time, do afterwards return to the commission of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="12"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a></div><div class="verse">Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? <i>there is</i> more hope of a fool than of him.</div> <span class="bld">A man wise in his own conceit; </span> who, being a fool, thinks himself wise, and therefore scorneth the counsels of others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">There is more hope of a fool; </span> of doing good to one who is a fool, and sensible of his folly, and ready to receive instruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="13"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13</a></div><div class="verse">The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There is</i> a lion in the way; a lion <i>is</i> in the streets.</div> To excuse his idleness, and keeping himself at home. <span class="bld">See Poole "<a href="/proverbs/22-13.htm" title="The slothful man said, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.">Proverbs 22:13</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="14"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-14.htm">Proverbs 26:14</a></div><div class="verse"><i>As</i> the door turneth upon his hinges, so <i>doth</i> the slothful upon his bed.</div> <span class="bld">Turneth upon his hinges; </span> moving hither and thither upon them, but not removing one jot from its place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="15"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Proverbs 26:15</a></div><div class="verse">The slothful hideth his hand in <i>his</i> bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.</div> He will not take the least pains for the most necessary things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="16"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-16.htm">Proverbs 26:16</a></div><div class="verse">The sluggard <i>is</i> wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.</div> <span class="bld">Is wiser in his own conceit, </span> because by his idleness he avoids those troubles and dangers to which other men by their activity expose themselves, forgetting in the mean thee what reproach and loss, and how much greater mischiefs, both here and hereafter, are brought upon him by his slothfulness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">That can render a reason, </span> to wit, a satisfactory reason, of all their actions, i.e. who are truly wise men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="17"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Proverbs 26:17</a></div><div class="verse">He that passeth by, <i>and</i> meddleth with strife <i>belonging</i> not to him, <i>is like</i> one that taketh a dog by the ears.</div> <span class="bld">He that passeth by; </span> who is going upon the way, and about his business. But this word is by some referred to the last clause, is like <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">one that taketh a dog by the ears as he is passing by him, </span> without any thought of doing him harm; which agrees very well both with the order of the words in the Hebrew text, and with the matter of the other clause, to which this similitude is referred. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Belonging not to him; </span> in which he is not concerned, nor any way obliged to meddle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears; </span> exposeth himself to great and needless hazards, as a man that causelessly provoketh a mastiff dog against himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="18"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-18.htm">Proverbs 26:18</a></div><div class="verse">As a mad <i>man</i> who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,</div> <span class="bld">As a madman, </span><span class="ital"> as one that feigneth himself mad</span>, that under that pretence he may do mischief with impunity, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">who casteth fire-brands, </span> to hurt his neighbour’s person, or to consume his house or goods. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Death; </span> any instruments of death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="19"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-19.htm">Proverbs 26:19</a></div><div class="verse">So <i>is</i> the man <i>that</i> deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?</div> That wrongs him under a false pretence of kindness and familiarity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="20"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-20.htm">Proverbs 26:20</a></div><div class="verse">Where no wood is, <i>there</i> the fire goeth out: so where <i>there is</i> no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.</div> <span class="bld">Tale-bearer, </span> to carry such reports from one to another as may provoke them to mutual rage and strife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="21"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-21.htm">Proverbs 26:21</a></div><div class="verse"><i>As</i> coals <i>are</i> to burning coals, and wood to fire; so <i>is</i> a contentious man to kindle strife.</div> Heb. <span class="ital">A man of contentions</span>, that loveth and giveth him self up to contentions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="22"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Proverbs 26:22</a></div><div class="verse">The words of a talebearer <i>are</i> as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.</div> This was delivered before, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm" title="The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.">Proverbs 18:8</a></span>, and is here repeated, as being a point of great concernment to the peace and welfare of all societies, and fit to be oft and earnestly pressed upon the consciences of men, because of their great and general proneness to this sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="23"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Proverbs 26:23</a></div><div class="verse">Burning lips and a wicked heart <i>are like</i> a potsherd covered with silver dross.</div> <span class="bld">Burning; </span> either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. With love. Words delivered with show of true and fervent affection. Or rather, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. With malice or hatred. A slanderous or evil tongue; for this word is constantly used in a bad sense, and notes the heat of rage and persecution. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Like a potsherd covered with silver dross; </span> such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a show of it, as dross doth of silver. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="24"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-24.htm">Proverbs 26:24</a></div><div class="verse">He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;</div> <span class="bld">Dissembleth, or, carrieth himself like another man; </span> pretends love and kindness; which sense seems to agree best both with the next clause of this verse, and with the two following verses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="25"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-25.htm">Proverbs 26:25</a></div><div class="verse">When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for <i>there are</i> seven abominations in his heart.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="26"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Proverbs 26:26</a></div><div class="verse"><i>Whose</i> hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the <i>whole</i> congregation.</div> <span class="bld">Covered by deceit; </span> with false professions of love. Showed before the whole congregation; instead of that secrecy and impunity, which by this art he designed and promised to himself, he shall be brought to public shame and punishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="27"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Proverbs 26:27</a></div><div class="verse">Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.</div> <span class="bld">Whoso diggeth a pit, </span> that another may fall into it. It is a metaphor from hunters, who used to dig deep pits, and then to cover them slightly with earth, that wild beasts passing that way might fall into them, and sometimes in the heat of pursuit fell into them themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">That rolleth a stone, </span> to wit, up the hill, with design to do mischief to some person or thing with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="28"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Proverbs 26:28</a></div><div class="verse">A lying tongue hateth <i>those that are</i> afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.</div> <span class="bld">Hateth those that are afflicted by it, </span> because by his calumnies he hath made them his enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A flattering mouth; </span> which, though it be more smooth and plausible than a slandering mouth, yet is in truth no less pernicious, betraying others either to sin, or to danger and mischief. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Matthew Poole's Commentary<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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