Proverbs 26:12

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit, etc.] Or “in his own eyes”f724; as multitudes may be seen, by looking round; man is a creature but of small knowledge in things natural, civil, mechanical, philosophical, moral, or divine; yet greatly conceited for the most part of his knowledge and wisdom. As by a “fool” in this book is generally understood a wicked profane man, so by a wise man is meant a good and righteous man, and may be so understood here; and many there are who are good and righteous only their own conceit and esteem, not truly so; they place their righteousness in outward things, in the observance of external duties; and though there may be some little imperfection in them,…”

“The self-conceited are taught with more difficulty than the stupid.”

“26:12 Fools have hope because they might recognize their folly and seek advice. However, those who think they are wise will remain ignorant.”

“Seest: Pro 22:29, Pro 29:20; Mat 21:31; Luk 7:44 a man: Pro 26:5, Pro 26:16, Pro 28:11, Pro 29:20; Mat 21:31; Luk 18:11; Rom 12:16; Co1 3:18, Co1 3:19; Co2 8:1, Co2 8:2; Rev 3:17 Proverbs 26:13”

“12 Seest thou a man who is wise in his own eyes? The fool hath more hope than he. Regarding the perf. hypotheticum ראית, vid., at Pro 22:29. Line second is repeated, Pro 29:20, unchanged. ממּנּוּ, prae eo, is equivalent to the Mishnic יותר ממּנּוּ, plus quam ei. As the conversion of a sinner, who does not regard himself as righteous, is more to be expected than that of a self-righteous man ( Mat 9:12.), so the putting right of a fool, who is conscious that he is not wise (cf. Pro 24:7), is more likely to be effected than that of one deeming himself wise; for the greatest hindrance to any turning toward that which is better lies in the delusion that he does not need it. (Note: The Targum has…”