Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 19:18

"Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; nd set not thy heart on his destruction." — Proverbs 19:18 (ASV)

And let not your soul spare for his crying.— Or, but do not set your soul on his destruction. Do not go so far as to kill him in your zeal for his good, or despair of his amendment. (Colossians 3:21.) It may also signify “do not let him perish for want of chastisement,” as Proverbs 23:13 is also explained.