Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 9:9

Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

9. Comp. Pro 1:5, Pro 18:15.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Pro 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.

The wise man rendered wiser by instruction

It is an infallible mark of true wisdom, to profit by instruction.

I. Take a more accurate view of the wise man; and inquire who it is that may be taken for such.

1. He who proposes to himself some end in what he does, and pursues that end in a rational and dexterous manner.

2. A truly wise man is the same as a good man.

3. He who to his resolution to make the attainment of moral goodness the great object of his existence adds a fixed and unalterable determination to pursue this according to Divine direction.

II. Instruction may be given even to the advantage of the wise.

1. No truly wise man will account it impossible to make accessions to his wisdom.

2. Every wise man, whatever be the nature of his wisdom, will wish it to be increased as much as possible.

3. Whenever instruction is given to him which is adapted to his character and circumstances he will account himself happy in having it, and will be the better for it.

III. When instruction is given to a wise man, he will yet be wiser.

1. He will endeavour to find out the motive of the person giving it.

2. He will consider the nature and tendency of the instruction or advise given.

3. He will pray that God may give him to see what is most valuable, and that He may influence his heart to profit by what is good. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

The wise are willing to learn from any one

President Lincoln once said that he was willing to learn from any one who could teach him anything. Dore seems to have had a like spirit. Some years ago, a clever young Englishwoman–something more than an amateur artist–was brought one day by some friends to Dores studio. Unlike most Englishwomen, this was a very impulsive and irrepressible young person; and she offered the frankest criticism of all the works around. The picture on which Dore was then engaged occupied her attention particularly; and not content with recommending various improvements, she suddenly caught the brush from the artists hand, and saying coolly, Dont you think, Mr. Dore, that a touch of this kind would be an improvement there? she actually altered the artists work with her own audacious fingers. Her friends were rather astonished, and one of them afterwards took occasion to apologise to him for her impulsiveness. Dore seemed only surprised to find that any apology or explanation should be considered necessary. He thought there was some justice in the suggestion thus practically made, and it seemed to him quite natural that one artist should help another. It did not seem to have occurred to him that there was anything presumptuous in the volunteer effort of the young beginner to lend a helping hand to one of the most celebrated and successful artists of the day.

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 9. Give instruction to a wise man] Literally give to the wise, and he will be wise. Whatever you give to such, they reap profit from it. They are like the bee, they extract honey from every flower.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Give instruction: in the Hebrew it is only give; for as receiving is put for learning, Pro 1:3, so giving is put for teaching, both in Scripture and in other authors; of which see my Latin Synopsis.

A just man; called a wise man in the former branch, to intimate that good men are the only wise men.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

9. The more a wise man learns,the more he loves wisdom.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Give [instruction] to a wise [man],…. In the Hebrew text it is only “give to a wise man”; give him reproof, correction, chastisement, doctrine, or instruction, be it what it will, he will be the better for it. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it, “give occasion”; to him of showing his wisdom and of improving in it:

and he will be yet wiser; he will learn something by every him that is given him, whether it be by way of rebuke, or by way of instruction;

teach a just [man]; one that is truly so, that has seen the insufficiency of his own righteousness, and has renounced that, and does not trust in it; and who has learned Christ, as the Lord his righteousness; has seen the glory, fulness, and suitableness of his righteousness, and trusts unto it and depends upon it; and in consequence of this lives soberly, righteously, and godly; teach such a man the doctrines of the Gospel, and every lesson of obedience and duty,

and he will increase in learning; he will grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ and all divine things; see Mt 13:12.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(9) Give instruction to a wise man.Comp. Mat. 13:12; Mat. 25:29.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

9. Give The word instruction being supplied. A noun, which is the complement of a verb, is often omitted, when it may be readily supplied from the context.

Instruction Perhaps admonition, or admonitory counsel, would be suggested by the connexion. The sentiment of the verse may be thus expressed: A man disposed to learn will grow wiser even by admonition; and instruction given to a good man will make him better. It is too often the reverse with scoffers and the wicked. “Every thing blesses the wise man.” Miller.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments