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1 Dead flies cause the oyntment of the Apothecarie to send foorth a stinking sauour: so doeth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisedome and honour.
2 A wise mans heart is at his right hand: but a fooles heart at his left.
3 Yea also when hee that is a foole walketh by the way, his wisedome faileth him, and hee saith to euery one that he is a foole.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise vp against thee, leaue not thy place; for yeelding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an euill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne, as an errour, which proceedeth from the ruler.
6 Folly is set in great dignitie; and the rich sit in lowe place.
7 I haue seene seruants vpon horses, and princes walking as seruants vpon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it; and who so breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Who so remoueth stones, shall be hurt therewith: and hee that cleaueth wood, shalbe endangered thereby.
10 If the yron be blunt, and he doe not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without inchauntment, and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise mans mouth are gratious: but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous madnesse.
14 A foole also is full of words; a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall bee after him who can tell him?
15 The labour of the foolish wearyeth euery one of them; because hee knoweth not how to goe to the citie.
16 ¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eate in the morning.
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the sonne of nobles, and thy princes eate in due season, for strength, and not for drunkennesse.
18 ¶ By much slouthfulnesse the building decayeth; and through idlenesse of the hands the house droppeth through.
19 ¶ A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
20 ¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the aire shall carry the voyce, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
To preserve a character for wisdom. (1-3) Respecting subjects and rulers. (4-10) Of foolish talk. (11-15) Duties of rulers and subjects. (16-20)1-3 Those especially who make a profession of religion, should keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage over a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.
4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.
11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city, that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err, #Isa 25:8|. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness.
16-20 The happiness of a land depends on the character of its rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, and lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to private and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe, though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is not redeemed, so it is not maintained with corruptible things, as silver and gold. God sees what men do, and hears what they say in secret; and, when he pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways. If there be hazard in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers, what must be the peril from every deed, word, or thought of rebellion against the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He seeth in secret. His ear is ever open. Sinner! curse not THIS KING in thy inmost thought. Your curses cannot affect Him; but his curse, coming down upon you, will sink you to the lowest hell.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.