Proverbs 25:26

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

Proverbs 25:26 in Other Translations

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

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

26 If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

26 A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

26 [As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

26 [Like] a muddied spring and a polluted well, [so] is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.

26 A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.

26 Sometimes a godly person gives in to those who are evil. Then he becomes like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.

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 on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.