Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 10:26

"As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him." — Proverbs 10:26 (ASV)

The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace.

Justice should crush the wicked, and separate them from the virtuous.

A fool trusts in his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts in his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him.

The wisest course is to look to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every creature is to us what God makes it to be.

The righteous is abundant, though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong.

It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty.

We must not hoard the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.

We must labor for the meat which endures to everlasting life, or we must perish.

As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to sting, so the sluggard frustrates his employer.

The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart.

When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned.