Proverbs 26:9 (BSB)

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

From Proverbs 26. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:9

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 26:6-9: To recommend wisdom to us, and to quicken us to the diligent use of all the means for the getting of wisdom, Solomon here shows that fools are fit for nothing; they are either sottish men, who will never think and design at all, or vicious men, who will never think and design well. 1.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 26:9: As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,.... And he perceives it not; or being in his hand he makes an ill use of it, and hurts himself and others with it; so is a parable in the mouth of fools, a proverbial sentence respecting religious matters; or a passage of holy Scripture which either he understands not, and has no spiritual...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 26:9: As vexatious and unmanageable as a thorn in a drunkard's hand is a parable to a fool. He will be as apt to misuse is as to use it rightly.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 26:9: [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. (e) By which he hurts both himself and others.