Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 17:8

"A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth." — Proverbs 17:8 (ASV)

A gift is as a precious stone ...—A description of the influence of bribery: A bribe is as a jewel in the eyes of him that receives it; wherever he turns, he prospers: all his energies are called forth by the prospect of gain, so that he successfully carries out all that he sets his hand to. The constant warnings against this form of corruption, from the time of Moses (Exodus 23:8) to that of the prophets (Amos 5:12; Isaiah 1:23, etc.), show the prevalence of the evil in Israel.