Proverbs 10:23

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. IT IS AS SPORT TO A FOOL TO DO MISCHIEF: BUT A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING HATH WISDOM - as his "sport." What he knows by understanding ought to be done, that by wisdom he does. "Wisdom" dictates to him to do just the reverse of the fool: to be serious in avoiding occasions of sin, in warning others against it, and in hating it sternly. So the parallelism requires the sense to be. "Mischief" - literally (Hebrew, zimmah), premeditated and heinous wickedness, as in . Instead of penitential tears, such as the godly shed, foolish sinners regard sin as "sport," which they openly delight and glory in (; ;...

1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties. Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 10:3. Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Proverbs 10:4. Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Proverbs 10:5. Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Proverbs 10:6. Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings....

Verse Proverbs 10:23. IT IS _A SPORT TO A FOOL TO DO MISCHIEF_] What a millstone weight of iniquity hangs about the necks of most of the _jesters, facetious_ and _witty_ people! "How many lies do they tell in jest, to go to the devil in earnest!...

As the fool finds his sport in doing mischief, so the man of understanding finds in wisdom his truest refreshment and delight....

EXPOSITION VERSE 1-22:16 PART III. FIRST GREAT COLLECTION (375) OF SOLOMONIC PROVERBS. VERSE 1-12:28 First section. The sections are noted by their commencing usually with the words, "a wise son." PROVERBS 10:1 THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. This is the title of the new part of the book; it is omitted in the Septuagint. There is some kind of loose connection in the grouping of these proverbs, but it is difficult to follow. "Ordo frustra quaeritur ubi nullus fuit observatus," says Mart. Geier. Wordsworth considers the present chapter to contain exemplifications of the principles and results of the two ways of life displayed in the preceding nine chapters. The antitheti

[IT IS] AS SPORT TO A FOOL TO DO MISCHIEF,.... To do any injury to the persons and properties of men; which shows a most wicked and malicious spirit, a very depraved nature indeed: or rather "to commit sin" o of any sort, which he has devised in his own heart; it is as a "laughing" p, as the words may be rendered; it is a laughing matter to him, he commits sin, and, when he has done it, laughs at it; instead of being ashamed of it, and humbled for it, he makes a mock at it, and a jest of it, as well as of all religion, and of the reproofs and admonitions of good men. Sin is pastime, he takes as much delight and pleasure in it as men do in their sports, and commits it as openly and freely; yea, not only takes pleasure in doing it himself, but in them that do it; see Proverbs 14:9; BUT A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING HATH WISDOM; to avoid sin, and not to do it, which is true wisdom

II. THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON: CHAPTER S 10--19:19 Beginning with the tenth chapter we have the collection of proverbs given by inspiration through Solomon. In this section the personal address, “My son,” and the personal exhortations are missing. It will be noticed that each verse in this section contains a proverb, consisting each of two lines, mostly of an antithetic character, except Proverbs 19:7, which has three lines instead of two (a tristich). It is impossible to give a detailed analysis of these Chapter s, nor can we take up each proverb separately for meditation. This must be left to each reader. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, and a prayerful study of these terse sayings, the heavenly wisdom given in these Chapter s can readily be found. There is no end to practical application. Yet even in these Chapter s a certain order is maintained. The contrast in each chap

PROVERBS 10:2 (_cf._ Psalms 3:7). RIGHTEOUSNESS: the growth of the conception of righteousness is an important subject. As in the Pss., there is a specific class the righteous opposed to the wicked. The righteous are generally synonymous with the poor and afflicted remnant, sometimes equivalent to the Hasidim of the Greek period. In general the tendency of the conception of righteousness is towards a specific moral character, rather than towards the fulfilment of legal duties. This is important in view of the implied contrast in the Synoptic Gospels between the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and such a righteousness as our Lord taught to be the condition of entrance into the kingdom of God (_cf._ Matthe

BUT. Supply Figure of speech _Ellipsis_ (App-6), "But [to exercise] wisdom [is as sport] to. man of understanding". MAN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14. UNDERSTANDING... WISDOM. See note on Proverbs 1:2....

_hath wisdom_ Rather, AND so is WISDOM (a sport or pastime) TO A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING. She imparts to him her own joy, or exultation. Comp. Proverbs 8:30, where the Heb. word is the same. See John 15:11....