Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
See here, 1. The folly of those that will not be taught, that refuse instruction, that will not heed it, but turn their backs upon it, or will not hear it, but turn their hearts against it. They refuse correction (margin); they will not take it, no, not from God himself, but kick against the pricks.
He that refuseth instruction,.... The instruction of parents, masters, ministers, and of God himself; or "correction" (y), instruction either by the word or by the rod; he that withdraws himself from it, will not be in the way of it, that shuns, neglects, and despises it, or carelessly and contemptuously attends it: despiseth his own soul; shows that he makes no account of it, has...
refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pro 1:25; Pro 4:15). despiseth . . . soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.