Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 17:12

"Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly." — Proverbs 17:12 (ASV)

A bear robbed of her whelps — Proverbially dangerous then (2 Samuel 17:8; Hosea 13:8). (See also 1 Kings 2:24.)

A fool (khesîl) — Compare Proverbs 1:32.