John Gill Commentary Proverbs 17:10

"A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool." — Proverbs 17:10 (ASV)

A reproof enters more into a wise man. A single verbal reproof, gently, kindly, and prudently given, not only enters the ear, but the heart of a wise and understanding man; it descends into him, as the word ^F11 signifies; it sinks deep into his mind; it penetrates into his heart, and pierces his conscience; brings him easily to humiliation, confession, and reformation. Or, "reproof is more terror to a wise man"; as Jarchi interprets it, and the Tigurine version; it awes and terrifies him more; a single word has more effect upon him, entering more easily into him,

than an hundred stripes into a fool; or, "than smiting a fool a hundred times" ^F12 : a word to a wise man is more than a hundred blows to a fool, will sooner correct and amend him; a word will enter where a blow will not; stripes only reach the back, but not the heart of a fool; he is never the better for all the corrections given him; his heart is not affected, is not humbled, nor brought to a sense of sin, and acknowledgment of it; nor is he in the least reformed: or a single reproof to a wise man is of more service than a hundred reproofs to a fool; which are sometimes expressed by smiting, "let the righteous smite me" (Psalms 141:5) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F11: (txt) "descendet", Montanus; "descendit", Vatablus, Mercerus, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus.
• F12: (ham lyok twkhm) "magis quam si percuties stolidum centies", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, so Pagninus, Michaelis.