Proverbs 26:3-28
According to our notions, we should rather say, a bridle for the horse, and a whip for the ass; but it should be considered, that the Eastern asses are not only much more beautiful, but better goers that ours; and being active and well broken, they need only a bridle to guide them; whereas their horses being scarce, and often caught wild, and badly broken, are much less manageable, and need the correction of the whip.
fool <03684> [a fool.]
wise <02450> [lest.]
own estimation <05869> [conceit. Heb. eyes.]
so ... sending <07971> [sendeth.]
violence <02555> [damage. or, violence.]
hang limp <01809> [not equal. Heb. lifted up. so.]
stone .... sling <068 04773 06872> [bindeth a stone in a sling. Heb. putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones.]
This probably refers, as Coverdale understands it, to the custom of throwing a stone to the heap under which a criminal was buried. So the Vulgate, {Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii; ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem,} "As he who throws a stone to Mercury's heap, so is he who gives honour to a fool." Mercury was a heathen god of highways; and stones were erected in different parts to guide the traveller: hence those lines of Dr. Young, "Death stands like Mercuries in every way; And kindly points us to our journey's end."
giving <05414> [so.]
[The great, etc. or, A great man grieveth all; and he hireth the fool, he hireth also the transgressors.]
an archer who wounds at random so ...... hires ..... hires <07936> [both.]
dog <03611> [a dog.]
[returneth to his folly. Heb. iterateth his folly.]
see <07200> [Seest.]
man <0376> [a man.]
sluggard <06102> [slothful.]
lazy ..... back <03811 07725> [it grieveth him. or, he is weary.]
passing ...... over <05674> [passeth.]
passing ...... over <05674> [meddleth. or, is enraged.]
firebrands <02131> [firebrands. Heb. flames, or sparks. arrows.]
says <0559> [and.]
wood <0657 06086> [Where no wood is. Heb. Without wood. so.]
gossip <05372> [tale-bearer. or, whisperer. ceaseth. Heb. is silent.]
words <01697> [words.]
innermost being <02315> [innermost parts. Heb. chambers.]
That is, ardent professions of friendship from a wicked heart, however smooth, shining, and splendid they may appear, are like a vile vessel covered over with base metal.
disguises <05234> [dissembleth. or, is known. deceit.]
speaks graciously <02603 06963> [speaketh fair. Heb. maketh his voice gracious.]
believe <0539> [believe.]
seven <07651> [seven.]
hatred .... concealed ... deceit <08135 03680 04860> [Whose hatred is covered by deceit. or, Hatred is covered in secret.]
digs <03738> [diggeth.]
lying <08267> [lying.]
He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury; {Proprium humani ingenii est, odisse quem l‘seris,} says Tacitlus: and strange to say, in proportion to the innocence of the injured.
flattering <02509> [a flattering.]
