A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked (is as) a troubled fountain. The righteous, in ceasing to reprove the wicked through fear or favour, not only falls himself, but injures others by his example. He who had been before as a limpid fountain, or "well of life" (Proverbs 10:11) for cleansing, refreshing, healing others, now ceases to pour forth pure counsels. Gejer takes it of the righteous falling by oppression of the wicked. But the comparison to "a corrupt spring" implies degeneracy rather than oppression.