Proverbs 26 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

By flying — Secures itself from the fowler. Not come — Upon the innocent person, but he shall escape from it like a bird.

According — So as to imitate his folly, by passionate or reproachful speeches.

According — So as his folly needs and requires, convincing him strongly, reproving him sharply, and exposing him to just shame.

Cutteth off the feet — Of his messenger; bids one go that wants legs. Drinketh — Drinking, in scripture, frequently denotes the plentiful doing or receiving of any thing.

The legs — Heb. the legs of the lame are lifted up, in going, or in dancing, which is done with great inequality and uncomeliness. So — No less incident are wise and pious speeches from a foolish and ungodly man.

Bindeth — Whereby he hinders his own design of throwing the stone out of it. So — No less absurd is he that giveth to a fool that honour which he is not capable of using aright.

A thorn — As a thorn is in a drunkard's hand, which he cannot manage cautiously, but employs to his own and others hurt. So — As unprofitable, and, by accident, hurtful to himself and others.

Rewardeth — Will certainly give that recompence which is deserved by fools and transgressors, by such as sin either thro' ignorance, or wilfully.

Turneth — Moving hither and thither upon it, but not removing from its place.

A reason — A satisfactory reason of ail their actions.

He — Who is going upon the way. With strife — In which he is not concerned, nor any way obliged to meddle. That taketh — Exposes himself to needless hazard.

And death — Any instruments of death.

Burning — With malice or hatred: A slanderous or evil tongue. Dross — Such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a shew of it, as dross does of silver.

Deceit — With false professions of love.

Rolleth — Up the hill with design to do mischief to some person.