Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 10:10 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. "
Proverbs 10:10
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
8 The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
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Trouble is said here to follow two kinds of sinners.
First, there are clever, sneaky sinners who hide what they are doing. “He that winks with the eye” is the person who pretends not to notice, while actually looking for a chance to hurt someone. He may also make secret signs to his partners so they can join in his evil plan. All of this is done with trickery and careful planning, and it brings sorrow to other people and to himself. Smartness is no excuse for wrong. The sinner must either repent or keep going toward ruin.
Second, there are open, foolish sinners who expose themselves by their own talk. A “prating fool” is a loud, talkative fool whose sins already point him toward judgment, as was said before (Proverbs 10:8). His danger is real, but it is less harmful to others than the damage done by the secret schemer. He may destroy himself, but he does not usually cause as much sorrow around him. The dog that bites is not always the one that barks.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 10:1
"The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."
Proverbs 10:2
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 10:3
"The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked."
Proverbs 10:4
"He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth."
Proverbs 10:5
"He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame."
Proverbs 10:6
"Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked."
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