Proverbs 18:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Through desire, &c.— The opinions of commentators on these two verses are much divided. Houbigant renders them as follows: He who prepares dissention seizes all occasions: he leaves nothing untried: Proverbs 18:2. A fool loveth not to be ruled by counsel, but to be carried on rashly and turbulently. Another reads, A hair-brained man followeth fancy, and intermeddleth in every thing: Proverbs 18:2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in rovings, or ramblings of his heart. If we understand the text in a bad sense, it may be paraphrased thus: "An inconstant man desires many things, and seeks satisfaction; but whatsoever he seeks he never meets with; but is defeated and disappointed in all his designs: Proverbs 18:2. And this is a certain character of a fool; that he never fixes on any thing; but chooses to wander up and down, and rove from one inquiry to another, rather than give his mind to true wisdom and prudence, in which he hath no pleasure." If we take the words in a good sense, they may be thus paraphrased, "He who lives retired, and sequesters himself from all company and business, out of a true affection to wisdom, endeavours to have a sound knowledge and understanding of things: Proverbs 18:2. But a vain man addicts himself to study for no other end, than to boast himself in a show of wisdom which he doth not love." See Bishop Patrick.