Proverbs 11:22

“[As] a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, etc.] The allusion seems to be to the ringing of swine, to prevent their rooting up the earth; which is usually done by putting an iron ring into their snout; which is much more proper and suitable than a gold ring, or a jewel set in gold, which is very unbecoming such a creature; and is soon had to the dunghill, or to some miry place, and there defiled; [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion; or, “has departed from taste”f312; from a taste of virtue and honour; lost all sense of modesty and chastity; forsaken her husband, and given up herself to the embraces of others. As her beauty is fitly expressed by a “jewel of gold”, which is valuable…”

“Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Gen 24:47; Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.”

“The most direct proverb, in the sense of “similitude,” which has as yet met us. Jewel of gold - Better, ring; i. e., the nose-ring Genesis 24:22, Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21. Without discretion - literally, “without taste,” void of the subtle tact and grace, without which mere outward beauty is as ill-bestowed as the nose-ring in the snout of the unclean beast. If we may assume that in ancient Syria, as in modern Europe, swine commonly wore such a ring to hinder them doing mischief, the similitude receives a fresh vividness. return to 'Top of Page'”

“So is a fair woman without discretion - "Of beauty vain, of virtue void, What art thou in the sight of God? A slave to every base desire, A creature wallowing in the mire. Go, gaudy pageant of a day, Thy folly, with thy face display: Set all thy charms and graces out, And shew - the Jewel in thy snout!" Proverbs 11:23”

“11:22 Discretion is the ability to tell right from wrong, the beautiful from the ugly, and good taste from bad taste.”

“a jewel: Pro 31:30; Eze 16:15-22; Nah 3:4-6; Pe1 3:3, Pe1 3:4; Pe2 2:22 is without: Heb. departed from, Pro 7:10, Pro 9:13 Proverbs 11:23”

“22 A golden ring in a swine's snout - A fair woman and without delicacy. This is the first instance of an emblematical proverb in which the first and second lines are related to each other as figure and its import, vid., p. 9. The lxx translates rhythmically, but by its ὥσπερ ... οὕτως it destroys the character of this picture-book proverbial form. The nose-ring, נזם, generally attached to the right nostril and hanging down over the mouth (vid., Lane's Manners, etc.) is a female ornament that has been in use since the time of the patriarchs ( Gen 24:47). If one supposes such a ring in a swine's snout, then in such a thing he has the emblem of a wife in whom beauty and the want of culture…”