Proverbs 27:14 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

He that blesseth his friend, that saluteth, or praiseth, and applaudeth him to his face, as the manner of flatterers is, with a loud voice, that both he and others may be sure to take notice of it; rising early in the morning to perform this office, to show his great forwardness, and diligence, and zeal in his service, which was the custom of the Romans afterward, and possibly of some of the Jews at this time; it shall be counted a curse to him his friend will value this kind of blessing no more than a curse, because it plainly discovers a base design, and is a high reflection upon him, as if he either did not understand such gross and palpable flattery, or were so ridiculously vain-glorious as to be pleased with it.