Proverbs 12:10 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast— Lord Bacon observes upon this verse, that there is implanted in man's nature [by Divine grace] a noble and excellent affection of pity and compassion, called here mercy (for the word rendered righteous, signifies mild, clement, merciful), which mercy extends itself even unto brute creatures, that are by divine ordination subject to his command. Therefore this compassion hath some analogy with that of a prince toward his subjects; nay, further, it is most certain, that the worthier any soul is, the larger is its compassion: for contracted and degenerate minds imagine these things pertain not to them; but the mind which looks upon itself as a nobler portion of the universe, is kindly affected towards inferior creatures, from the communion that there is between them: wherefore we see that there were under the old law many precepts concerning this; which were not so much merely ceremonial, as institutions of mercy. See more on this subject in the Advancement of Learning, b. viii. c. 2. The next clause means, "the very kindnesses of the wicked, being treacherous, are a cruel cheat; nay, the highest expressions which they make of tenderness and compassion, whereby they induce others to repose a trust in them, are intended merely as a cover for the mischief which they mean more securely to do them." The Greeks have a proverb nearly to the same purpose, Εχθρων δωρα αδωρα, "The gifts of enemies are no gifts." See a pleasing discourse on this text, entitled, "Clemency to Brutes."