Proverbs 26:3
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
World Messianic Bible
In The King James Version
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
In Context
2Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Cross References
Judges 8:5He said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me; for they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
Proverbs 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
Proverbs 19:25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 27:22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
2 Corinthians 10:6and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:3
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Here is, 1. The folly of passion. It makes men scatter causeless curses, wishing ill to others upon presumption that they are bad and have done ill, when either they mistake the person or misunderstand the fact, or they call evil good and good evil. Give honour to a fool, and he thunders out his anathemas against all that he is disgusted with, right or wrong. Great men, when wicked, think they have a privilege to keep… Read the whole commentary →