Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 26
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 26
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 26
"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool." — Proverbs 26:1 (ASV)
Honour is not fitting for those unworthy and unfit for it.
"As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not." — Proverbs 26:2 (ASV)
He who is cursed without cause, the curse will do him no more harm than the bird that flies over his head.
"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools." — Proverbs 26:3 (ASV)
Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit." — Proverbs 26:4-5 (ASV)
We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so that they may best end the debate.
"He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage. The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools." — Proverbs 26:6-9 (ASV)
Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honor. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness.
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