Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 26:2 - 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
" Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. "
Proverbs 26:2
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
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Here we see, first, the folly of strong anger. It makes people throw out curses without cause, wishing harm to others because they assume those people are bad or have done wrong. Sometimes they have the wrong person, or they misunderstand what happened, or they call evil good and good evil. Even when a fool is given honor, he may still pour out curses against anyone who offends him, whether he is right or wrong.
This is especially true of powerful people who are wicked. They may think they can keep others in fear by cursing them and swearing at them. Yet this shows not strength, but weak and angry malice. Their words reveal how small they really are, as much as how sinful.
Next, we see the safety of innocence. If someone is cursed without cause, whether by angry words or solemn warnings, that curse will do no more harm than a bird flying over his head. It will be like the curses of Goliath against David (1 Samuel 17:43). The curse will pass away like a sparrow or a wild dove that flies off and cannot be found, until it returns to the one who spoke it.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 26:1
"Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool."
Proverbs 26:3
"A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!"
Proverbs 26:4
"Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him."
Proverbs 26:5
"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."
Proverbs 26:6
"One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence."
Proverbs 26:7
"Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools."
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