Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 1:17

"For in vain is the net spread In the sight of any bird:" — Proverbs 1:17 (ASV)

Surely in vain ...—The second reason: their folly in so doing, for God will bring punishment upon them; in the same net which they hid privily will their foot be taken (Psalms 9:15). Even birds are wiser than they. It is useless to spread a net in the sight of any bird.