Albert Barnes Commentary Proverbs 23:2

"And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite." — Proverbs 23:2 (ASV)

That is, “Restrain your appetite, eat as if the knife were at your throat.” Others render the words “you will put a knife to your throat,” etc., that is, “indulgence at such a time may endanger your very life.”