Proverbs 19:10

10 ¹It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for ²a slave to rule over princes.

Proverbs 19:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:10

Delight is not seemly for a fool
Such an one as Nabal, whose name and nature were alike; and whose prosperity ill became him, and the mirth and delight he had in it, ( 1 Samuel 25:25 1 Samuel 25:36 ) ; for, as the wise man elsewhere says, "the prosperity of fools shall destroy them", ( Proverbs 1:26 ) ; they do not know how to make a right use of their prosperity; nor to moderate their enjoyments, pleasures, and delights. Some understand this of spiritual delight in the Lord; in his ways and ordinances, which wicked men are strangers to: and a very uncomely thing it is for such persons to talk of spiritual joy and delight, and of their communion with God, when they live in sin; much less for a servant to have rule over princes;
this was a sight which Solomon had seen, but was very disagreeable to him; and was one of the four things the earth cannot bear; the insolence of a servant, when he becomes master over his superiors, is intolerable; see ( Proverbs 30:22 ) ( Ecclesiastes 10:7 ) . It may be spiritually applied to such who are servants of sin; to whose sensual appetites and carnal affections the more noble and princely powers of the soul, the understanding and mind, become subject; which is very improper and unseemly.

Proverbs 19:10 In-Context

8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Cross References

• 1. 19:10 [ch. 17:7; 26:1]
• 2. 19:10 ch. 30:22; Eccles. 10:6, 7