Proverbs 19:18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Chasten thy son while there is hope Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him hard-hearted and incorrigible; and let not thy soul spare for his crying Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction, through a foolish and destructive pity, excited by his tears and cries; for it is better he should cry under thy rod, than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more to be feared, that of divine vengeance.