Proverbs 19:2 (BSB)

Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

From Proverbs 19. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 19:2

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 19:2: Two things are here declared to be of bad consequence: - 1. Ignorance: To be without the knowledge of the soul is not good, so some read it. Know we not our own selves, our own hearts? A soul without knowledge is not good; it is a great privilege that we have souls, but, if these souls have not knowledge, what the better are we?
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 19:2: Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good,.... Without knowledge of things natural and civil, especially without the knowledge of God and Christ, and divine and spiritual things; to be without this is not good, yea, very bad; for men without such knowledge and understanding are, like the beasts that perish, and for lack of it do. Jarchi interprets it, without the law.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 19:2: The last illustrates the first clause. Rashness, the result of ignorance, brings trouble.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 19:1-6: A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother. (q) That is, often such are found who are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty.