Bridges on Proverbs 23:9
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 23:9
 
 1-3 
 4-5 
 6-8 
 9 
 10-11 
 12 
 13-14 
 15-16 
 17-18 
 19-21 
 22 
 23-25 
 26-28 
 29-35 
 
9.  Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
 
Our Lord's rule is to the same purport — “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6.) Cast not away your good counsels upon incorrigible sinners. So long as there is any hope of reclaiming the fool, make every effort for his precious soul. In the true spirit of our Master, bring the Gospel to the worst and the most unwilling; and never make the rule of prudence the excuse for indolence. Yet “there is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak.”† Such a time we shall understand by the trial to our own spirit. We long to speak in compassion. But self-denial, not self-indulgence, restrains.† We have before been warned against untimely rebuke. (Chapter 9:8.) This caution extends further — Speak not in the ears of a fool. Such was our Master's silence before Herod. (Luke 23:9.) If he would hear, there would be hope. But instead of being thankful for instruction, he will despise the wisdom of thy words (Chapter 1:7), and take occasion from them only to scoff and blaspheme the more. Many doubtful cases, however, require much wisdom. And the safe rule will be, never to speak without prayer for divine guidance, and simplicity, and love.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 7:6
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 3:7. Chapter 26:4, 5.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 3:7
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 
Proverbs 26:4, 5
4 ¶ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. {conceit: Heb. eyes}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 39:1, 2.
 
 
Psalm 39:1, 2
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. {my mouth...: Heb. a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth} 2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. {stirred: Heb. troubled}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 9:8
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luke 23:9
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 1:7
7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. {the beginning: or, the principal part}