Proverbs 26:8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling Whereby he hinders his own design of throwing the stone out of it; so is he, &c. No less absurd is he that giveth to a fool that honour which he is not capable of using aright. Bishop Patrick and Houbigant give a different interpretation of the verse, thus: “As a stone put into a sling stays not long there, so is that honour thrown away which is bestowed upon a fool.” Parkhurst, however, according to the translation in the margin, supposes the meaning to be, “As a spark, or small piece of precious stone, in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.”