 | Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. |
 | Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. |
 | Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. |
| Proverbs 9:8 |
Commentary
A scoffer or mocker is thoroughly set against wisdom (1:22) and scoffs at the things of God (Ps. 1:1). How should a person respond to a mocker? It is best not to respond at all. By contrast, a wise man accepts correction and responds with gratitude to the one who points out his error. A wise person always welcomes constructive criticism; by implication, he or she is also humble (v. 10; 3:7; 11:2).
A scoffer or mocker is thoroughly set against wisdom (1:22) and scoffs at the things of God (Ps. 1:1). How should a person respond to a mocker? It is best not to respond at all. By contrast, a wise man accepts correction and responds with gratitude to the one who points out his error. A wise person always welcomes constructive criticism; by implication, he or she is also humble (v. 10; 3:7; 11:2).
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 9:7-9). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
SCOFFER - one who shows contempt by mocking, sneering, or scorning (Gen. 21:9; Ps. 73:8). Unlike the good man, who walks the path of wisdom, the scoffer is a wicked man who follows the path of folly, refusing to listen to the wisdom of others.
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.