Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. (IF) A WISE MAN CONTENDETH WITH A FOOLISH MAN, WHETHER HE RAGE OR LAUGH, (THERE IS) NO REST - (.) The wise man may try all ways to gain the fool to piety, which is wisdom; but when the wise tries anger with him, the fool becomes more angry; and when he tries pleasantry, the fool misunderstands it. The fool gives his wise admonisher "no rest." He has always an excuse, accusation, or retort to give. He misinterprets kindness as the result of fear or stratagem, and becomes more insolent; roughness as the result of a wish to domineer harshly....

Verse Proverbs 29:9. _WHETHER HE RAGE OR LAUGH_] _Coverdale_ translates, "Yf a wyse man go to lawe with a foole, whether he deale with him frendly or roughly he geteth no rest....

All modes of teaching - the stern rebuke or the smiling speech - are alike useless with the “foolish” man; there is “no rest.” The ceaseless cavilling goes on still....

EXPOSITION This chapter reinforces many precept given previously. PROVERBS 29:1 HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK; literally, _a man of reproofs—_one_ _who has had a long experience of rebukes and warnings. Compare "a man of sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3). The hardening of the neck is a metaphor derived from obstinate draught animals who will not submit to the yoke (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 27:8). Christ calls his yoke easy, and bids his followers

[IF] A WISE MAN CONTENDETH WITH A FOOLISH MAN,.... Enters into a controversy with him, either by word or writing, in order to convince him of his folly and wickedness, of his errors and mistakes; WHETHER HE RAGE OR LAUGH, [THERE IS] NO REST; that is, either whether the fool is angry with the wise man, and rages at him and abuses him, and calls him names, or laughs at him, and scoffs at all his arguments, reasons, and advice; yet the wise man does not cease from proceeding in the contest with him; or he is not dejected and cast down, and discouraged; or, as the Targum is, "he is not broken;'' but patiently bears his wrath fury, his scoffs and jeers: or else whether the wise man deals roughly or gently with the feel, in a morose or in a mere jocose way: it has no upon him; he is never the better for it; he does not acquiesce or rest in what he says like the Pharisees in Christ's time, w...

CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous Chapter s. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb will be finally proven to be the truth when an ungodly age will end with judgment for those who were often reproved and continue in sin. Once more the sin of flattery is mentioned. “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet” Proverbs 29:5. Flattery is akin to lying and can never be right, but is always a mistake, which results in the gravest consequences. More servants

PROVERBS 29:2. _cf._ Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12. Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presents. Proverbs 29:9 b. Who is the subject? If it is the wise man, the meaning is that however he treats his opponent, seriously or lightly, he cannot end the matter. If it is the fool, the thought will be that he shows no decorum of manner. The proverb seems directed against a wise man's going to law with a fool....

FOOLISH. Hebrew. _'evil._ See note on Proverbs 1:7. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 29:11; Proverbs 29:20....

_whether he rage_&c. This makes _the fool_the subject, as is more clearly brought out in R.V. marg., _He rageth and laugheth and there is no rest_. In R.V. text, however, _the wise man_is made the subject, _whether he be angry or laugh_, whether he seeks to bring the controversy to an end by severity or by banter, he will fail. There is no coming to terms with a fool, either by threats or by persuasion....

IF A WISE MAN CONTENDETH, &C.— _A wise man, contending in judgment with a foolish man, whether he is provoked or derided, remains unmoved._—Ver. 10. _Deceitful men hold the upright in little esteem; but the just embrace him._ Houbigant. Schultens renders the last verse, _Bloody men hate the upright, and seek the life of the just._...