John Wesley on Proverbs 26

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.