Since we do not know what our earthly future holds (vv. 12-15), even though governmental officials may prove reprehensible (vv. 16-19) it is not wise to criticize them (v. 20).
10:12-15 Generally wise people speak graciously, but fools destroy themselves by the way they speak. The fool continues to talk even though neither he nor anyone else can tell what the future holds. The picture here seems to be of the fool making dogmatic statements about the future. The fool also does not even perceive what is most obvious. He is so short-sighted that he sees no value in his work (v. 15a). "How to go to a city"is a figure of speech such as "when to come in out of the rain"(v. 15b). It means the fool is a jerk.
10:16-19 These proverbs show what bad effects can come from unqualified, irresponsible leadership (cf. Isa. 5:11; Acts 2:15). Verse 19 reflects the bad attitudes of the profligate leaders.
". . . the point is not that every man has his price but that every gift has its use--and silver, in the form of money, is the most versatile of all."68
10:20 In spite of such bad leadership Solomon urged restraint. If you complain, those in authority may eliminate you. Corrupt officials often have supporters in the most private places who take the names and words of complainers back to their masters.
Was Solomon saying that people should submit to governmental corruption and oppression without ever speaking out? The practices of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles cast doubt on this interpretation. Probably Solomon had conditions in view in which there is no possibility that speaking out will produce any change for the better. In this section he was addressing the fact that wise people may lose their influence because of the actions of others (10:12-20). His point was, do not endanger your future unnecessarily. He was not speaking about how to affect change in a crooked government (cf. Isa. 5:11-12; Amos 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 13-19).
