Proverbs 17:10

10 A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

Proverbs 17:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man
A single verbal reproof, gently, kindly, and prudently given, not only enters the ear, but the heart of a wise and understanding man; it descends into him, as the word ^F11 signifies; it sinks deep into his mind; it penetrates into his heart, and pierces his conscience; brings him easily to humiliation, confession, and reformation. Or, "reproof is more terror to a wise man"; as Jarchi interprets it, and the Tigurine version; it awes and terrifies him more; a single word has more effect upon him, entering more easily into him, than an hundred stripes into a fool;
or, "than smiting a fool a hundred times" ^F12: a word to a wise man is more than a hundred blows to a fool, will sooner correct and amend him; a word will enter where a blow will not; stripes only reach the back, but not the heart of a fool; he is never the better for all the corrections given him; his heart is not affected, is not humbled, nor brought to a sense of sin, and acknowledgment of it; nor is he in the least reformed: or a single reproof to a wise man is of more service than a hundred reproofs to a fool; which are sometimes expressed by smiting, "let the righteous smite me" ( Psalms 141:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (txt) "descendet", Montanus; "descendit", Vatablus, Mercerus, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus.
F12 (ham lyok twkhm) "magis quam si percuties stolidum centies", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, so Pagninus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 17:10 In-Context

8 Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.

9 Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend!

10 A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

11 Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long - they'll meet it coming and going!

12 Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.