Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 12:10

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." — Proverbs 12:10 (ASV)

Regardeth the life of his beast.— Rather, knows their feelings , and so can feel for them. God’s own care for the brute creation (Jonah 4:11) was shown in the merciful provisions of the Law, by which cattle shared the rest of the Sabbath, and had their portion of the corn as it was being trodden out (Deuteronomy 25:4).

Tender mercies.—What the wicked calls tenderness and kind treatment is really cruelty, as he gives no thought to the comfort of his beast.