Proverbs 26:3

3 Beating be to an horse, and a bridle to an ass; and a rod to the back of unprudent men.

Proverbs 26:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse
One that is dull of going, or refractory and wants breaking; a bridle for the ass;
not to curb and restrain it from going too fist, asses being generally dull; but to direct its way and turn it when necessary, it being stiffnecked and obstinate; though the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it a "spear" or "goad", something to prick with, and excite it to motion; and so the Targum; or otherwise one would have thought the whip was fitter for the ass and the bridle for the horse; and a rod for the fool's back;
suggesting that the fool, or wicked man, is like the horse or the mule; though not without understanding of things natural, yet of things divine and moral; and as stupid as the ass, however wise he may conceit himself to be, being born like a wild ass's colt; and instead of honour being given him, stripes should be laid upon him; he should be reproved sharply, and corrected for his wickedness, especially the causeless curser, ( Proverbs 19:29 ) .

Proverbs 26:3 In-Context

1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest; so glory is unseemly to a fool. (Like snow in summer, and rain at harvest; so glory is unbecoming to a fool.)

2 For as a bird flying over to high things, and as a sparrow going into uncertain; so cursing brought forth without reasonable cause shall come above into some man. (Like a bird flying over to high places, and like a sparrow going into uncertainty; so cursing brought forth without a reasonable cause, shall simply go over someone, and not touch them.)

3 Beating be to an horse, and a bridle to an ass; and a rod to the back of unprudent men.

4 Answer thou not to a fool after his folly, lest thou be made like him.

5 Answer thou (to) a fool after his folly, lest he seem to himself to be wise (lest he thinketh himself to be wise).