Proverbs 27:22 (BSB)

Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.

From Proverbs 27. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 27:22

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 27:22: Solomon had said (Pro 22:15), The foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child may be driven out by the rod of correction, for then the mind is to be moulded, the vicious habits not having taken root; but here he shows that, if it be not done then, it will be next to impossible to do it afterwards; if the disease be...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 27:22: For riches are not for ever,.... A man cannot be assured of the continuance of them; they are uncertain things, here today and gone tomorrow: wherefore, though a man has a considerable share of them, yet should follow one calling or another; particularly husbandry is recommended, or keeping sheep and cattle, which are increasing; by which means his substance will be continued and augmented, which...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 27:22: The obstinate wickedness of such is incurable by the heaviest inflictions.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 27:22: Pro 27:22 22 Though thou bruise a fool in a mortar among grit with a pestle, Yet would not his folly depart from him. According to the best accredited accentuations, אם־תּכתּושׁ has Illuj. and בּמּכתּשׁ has Pazer, not Rebia, which would separate more than the Dechi, and disturb the sequence of the thoughts.