Proverbs 26 Commentary

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

Answer not a fool, &c. Viz., so as to imitate him; but only so as to reprove his folly. (Challoner) — If thou answer at all, (ver. 5.) do it to the purpose, and to prevent others from taking scandal, (Calmet) as well as to humble the wicked, for his good. (Haydock)

“He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. damage: or, violence”

Iniquity. He is exposed to shame, (Septuagint) and must condemn his own folly. (Calmet)

“The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. are: Heb. are lifted up”

Fair. Hebrew, “unequal legs,” or “lifted up,” so, &c. (Haydock)

“As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. bindeth: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones”

Mercury. The god of travellers, who were wont to throw a stone at the foot of his statue, as the Indians (Vincent. Bellor. xxiv.) and Arabs did. Mahomet would not disturb this superstitious custom. The Rabbins style these statues Mercolis. But Septuagint, &c., give another sense, “as he that bindeth a stone (Calmet) in the boss of a ring, sphendone, (Menochius) or in a sling,” can do no good, but only endanger himself or others, “so,” &c. Yet margema is never used elsewhere for a sling, and it means undoubtedly “a heap of stones,” (Calmet) as Montanus substitutes instead of “the sling,” in Pagnin. “As a small piece of precious stone in a heap of stones is lost, so,” &c. (Pole. Syn. Parkhurst in rogom.) (Haydock) — Honour, or an office, in which he may do harm. (Calmet)

“As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.”

If. Hebrew, “as a thorn goeth up into the,” &c. (Protestants) (Haydock) — If he attempt to handle or to extract one, he will wound himself the more, as the fool would render truth and wisdom contemptible. (Calmet) — Parable. Septuagint, “but slavery in the hands of fools” groweth up. (Haydock)

“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. The great: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors”

Anger, and prevent lawsuits. Hebrew is variously read and translated. (Calmet) — Protestants, “the great God, that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool and rewardeth the transgressors.” Marginal note, “a great man giveth all, and he hireth the fool,” &c. Septuagint, “all the flesh of fools is exposed to many storms, for their excess is punished.” (Haydock)

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly”

Dog. This is the only animal which is known to do so. St. Peter uses this comparison to deter any from renouncing the faith; as the Fathers do, to shew the misery attending a relapse. Septuagint here add, “there is a confusion,” &c., taken from Ecclesiasticus iv. 25. (Calmet)

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Fool. The ignorant may be convinced that he wants instruction. (Calmet) — But “none are worse than the half-learned.” (Quintil. i. Jo. v. 21.)

“As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.”

Bed, which he will scarcely leave, though avarice push him forward. (St. Augustine, ser. xxii. or clxiv.)

“The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”

Seven, or many wise men, who used to speak in a sententious manner. (Calmet) — So seven is used, ver. 25.

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. meddleth: or, is enraged”

Anger. Hebrew, “passeth by, and meddleth with a quarrel not to him” pertaining. (Haydock) — Such expose themselves foolishly to danger. Great discretion is requisite to reconcile those at variance.

“So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”

Jest. He will not escape, no more than the person who had committed murder involuntarily, if he were not in a city of refuge, Numbers xxxv. 22.

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Where no: Heb. Without wood talebearer: or, whisperer ceaseth: Heb. is silent”

Faileth. Hebrew, Symmachus, Calmet, “aboundeth, the fire is bright, or flourisheth” (Septuagint) (Haydock)

“Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.”

Dross. Hence the proud will be detested, and appear contemptible.

“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; dissembleth: or, is known”

Lips. He will speak of what he hates much.

“Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. by: or, in secret”

Deceitfully. Hebrew, “in desolation.” He will cringe, but when he finds an opportunity, he will discover his evil designs. (Calmet)

“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.”

Him. “Bad advice is worst to him who gives it.” (Varro. Rust. iii. 22.)