Mishle 25:26

26 A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

Mishle 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.

Mishle 25:26 In-Context

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha.

25 As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, so is good news from a far country.

26 A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

27 It is not tov to eat much devash; so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own ruach is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).