Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Ver. 18. Poverty and shame.] These two are fitly set together; for poverty is usually slighted, if not shamed. Jam 2:16
“ Nil habet infelix paupertas durius in se
Quam quod ridicules homines facit. ”
The world looks over a poor though virtuous man. "This thy son"; Luk 15:30 not, This my brother. And why, but because in poverty? How much more an uncounsellable and incorrigible man, as here, and as that prodigal had been till he came to himself!
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.] Though not haply enriched, he shall be of good account with the wise and godly, though in meaner condition. Mr Fox being asked whether he knew such an honest poor man who had received help and good counsel from him in time of trouble, answered, ‘I remember him well; I tell you, I forget lords and ladies to remember such.'