Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Commentary

This chapter begins with a warning against the abuse of wine, or excessive drinking (see this theme more extensively in 23:29-35). A wise person takes the danger seriously. There is no wisdom in drunkenness, only brawling and confusion.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 20:1). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?

Wine was grape juice mixed with water to dilute it, but strong drink was unmixed. While the use of these beverages is not specifically condemned (Deut. 14:26), being intoxicated always is (Is. 28:7).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 20:1). Nashville: Word Pub.