Proverbs 29:9

“[If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, etc.] Enters into a controversy with him, either by word or writing, in order to convince him of his folly and wickedness, of his errors and mistakes; whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest; that is, either whether the fool is angry with the wise man, and rages at him and abuses him, and calls him names, or laughs at him, and scoffs at all his arguments, reasons, and advice; yet the wise man does not cease from proceeding in the contest with him; or he is not dejected and cast down, and discouraged; or, as the Targum is, “he is not broken;” but patiently bears his wrath fury, his scoffs and jeers: or else whether the wise man deals roughly…”

“contendeth--that is, in law. whether . . . laugh--The fool, whether angry or good-humored, is unsettled; or referring the words to the wise man, the sense is, that all his efforts, severe or gentle, are unavailing to pacify the fool.”

“All modes of teaching - the stern rebuke or the smiling speech - are alike useless with the “foolish” man; there is “no rest.” The ceaseless cavilling goes on still. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Whether - Whether he, the wise man, deal sharply with him, or mildly, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate. Proverbs 29:10”

“Pro 26:4; Ecc 10:13; Mat 7:6, Mat 11:17-19 Proverbs 29:10”

“9 If a wise man has to contend with a fool, He the fool rageth and laugheth, and hath no rest. Among the old translators, Jerome and Luther take the "wise man" as subject even of the second line, and that in all its three members: vir sapiens si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur sive reideat, non inveniet requiem. Thus Schultens, C. B. Michaelis, Umbreit, Ewald, Elster, and also Fleischer: "The doubled Vav is correlative, as at Exo 21:16; Lev 5:3, and expresses the perfect sameness in respect of the effect, here of the want of effect. If the wise man, when he disputes with a fool, becomes angry, or jests, he will have no rest, i.e., he will never bring it to pass that the fool shall…”