Bridges on Proverbs 29:9
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 29:9
 
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9.  If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
 
It would generally be far better not to meddle with such a fool as is here described. We can only deal with him on very disadvantageous terms, and with little prospect of good.† If a wise man contend with the wise, he can make himself understood, and there is some hope of bringing the debate to a good issue. But to contend with a fool, there is no rest, no peace or quiet. It will go on without end. He will neither listen to reason, nor yield to argument. So intractable is he, that he will either rage or laugh; either vent upon us the fury of an ungoverned temper, or laugh us to scorn. This contention was a point of poignant trial to our Divine Master. What could be more revolting than sometimes their murderous rage,† sometimes their scornful laugh,† both “rejecting his counsel against themselves”? (Matthew 11:16, 17.) And what if a contention with such fools should be appointed for me? Let me remember my days of perversity and folly. And while this vivid impression brings me back to their level; can I return their unreasonable provocation, save with tenderness and compassion? (Titus 3:2, 3.) Yea — when, as the most effectual means for their benefit, I would commend them to the Almighty and Sovereign grace of God; can I forget, that if this grace has healed my deep-rooted stubbornness, it is not less rich, not less free, not less sufficient, for them?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 17:12; 26:4. Ecclesiastes 10:13. Matthew 7:6.
 
 
Proverbs 17:12
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
 
Proverbs 26:4
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
 
Ecclesiastes 10:13
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth}
 
Matthew 7:6
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 4:29. John 7:1; 8:59; 11:53.
 
 
Luke 4:29
29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. {brow: or, edge}
 
John 7:1
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
 
John 8:59
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
 
John 11:53
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 16:14.
 
 
Luke 16:14
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 11:16, 17
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Titus 3:2, 3
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.