Proverbs 10:10 Commentary and Bible Study

This proverb is different in structure. Previously we have had good and bad compared, but here two bad things are brought for our consideration. It may be that they are not being compared at all, but simply connected in which case the word ‘but’ should be changed to ‘and’. Nevertheless it does seem that there is a comparison made between the one who causes trouble to others and the more foolish man who brings about his own downfall, in which case the emphasis is on the second half of the verse. The man who winks his eye reveals to one what he hides from another, since he pretends not to see but keeps one eye open to make sure that he does. By this gesture he encourages others to join him in evil, or encourages dishonest silence among confederates. He does not do this without intending harm to someone. But the prating fool, or fool of lips, destroys himself. Whether by few words or by many, the fool will perish. You see, you have got two opposites there. You have got a person of few words and a wink - that is one extreme. There is an act of deception going on there but in few words. Whoever winks uses a gesture in place of words and so says little, but his gesture speaks volumes. Then there is the prating fool who is quite voluble, and he speaks. It is Solomon saying, Speech is all important, whether in few words or in many. Either way you can harm others, you can cause yourself to fall, and become susceptible to the judgement or chastisement of God. So he introduces it by warning us that words can be a snare.