Proverbs 10:26

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are lazy people to those who authorize them.

Proverbs 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth
Which, with its coldness and sourness, blunts the teeth, and makes it troublesome to eat: the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it,

``as the sour grape is hurtful to the teeth;''

sets them on edge; and as smoke to the eye;
dims the sight, causes the eye to water, and is very pernicious and vexatious: so [is] the sluggard to them that send him:
that is, the slothful messenger, as the Targum explains it; who, being sent on an errand, is dilatory, does not make haste to bring back the answer; which is very vexatious to those that send him, raises their passions, makes them fretful and very angry, be it on what account it will: so slothful and unprofitable servants, to whom talents are given for usefulness, which they hide or use not, are very provoking to Christ, and whom he will order into outer darkness; those who have gifts for sacred service ought not to be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, ( Matthew 25:26 Matthew 25:29 ) ( Romans 12:6-11 ) .

Proverbs 10:26 In-Context

24 What the wicked dread will come on them, but what the righteous desire will be given to them.

25 After a whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are lazy people to those who authorize them.

27 The fear of the LORD increases one's life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

28 The expectations of the righteous result in joy, but the hopes of the wicked will perish.