Proverbs 25:26

26 [Like] a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is the righteous who gives way before the wicked.

Proverbs 25:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:26

A righteous man falling dozen before the wicked
Either falling into calamity and distress by means of the wicked man, through his malice and cunning, and which be seeing, rejoices at; or crouching unto him, bowing before him, yielding to him, not daring to oppose or reprove him; or falling into sin in his presence, which he ever after reproaches him for, and openly exposes him, so that his usefulness is lost; and especially if he joins with the wicked man in his course of living; and particularly if a civil magistrate, and acts unrighteously in his office: he [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring;
like a spring or fountain muddied with the feet of men or beasts; so that; he who was before as a clear spring of flowing water, a fountain of justice to his neighbours, from whom good doctrine and wholesome advice flowed, is now of no use by instruction or example, but the contrary.

Proverbs 25:26 In-Context

24 Better to live upon the corner of a roof than [with] a woman of contention and [in a] shared house.
25 [Like] cold water upon a weary soul, [so too is] good news from a distant place.
26 [Like] a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is the righteous who gives way before the wicked.
27 To eat much honey is not good, nor [is] seeking one's honor honorable.
28 A breached city [where] there is no wall [is like] a man who {has no} self-control for his spirit.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.