Albert Barnes Commentary Proverbs 11:22

"[As] a ring of gold in a swine`s snout, [So is] a fair woman that is without discretion." — Proverbs 11:22 (ASV)

The most direct proverb, in the sense of “similitude,” which we have encountered so far.

Jewel of gold - Better, a ring; that is, the nose-ring (Genesis 24:22, Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21).

Without discretion - literally, “without taste,” void of the subtle tact and grace, without which mere outward beauty is as ill-bestowed as the nose-ring in the snout of the unclean beast. If we may assume that in ancient Syria, as in modern Europe, swine commonly wore such a ring to prevent them from doing mischief, the similitude gains fresh vividness.