Proverbs 19:10

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

Proverbs 19:10 in Other Translations

KJV
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
ESV
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
NLT
10 It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes!
MSG
10 Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
CSB
10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool- how much less for a 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 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 26:1
  • 2. Proverbs 30:21-23; Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
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