Proverbs 19:10

NET ©

Luxury is not appropriate 1  for a fool; 2  how much less for a servant to rule over princes! 3 

NIV ©

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

NASB ©

Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

NLT ©

It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes!

MSG ©

Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.

BBE ©

Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.

NRSV ©

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.

NKJV ©

Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

KJV
Delight
<08588>
is not seemly
<05000>
for a fool
<03684>_;
much less for a servant
<05650>
to have rule
<04910> (8800)
over princes
<08269>_.
HEBREW
Myrvb
<08269>
lsm
<04910>
dbel
<05650>
yk
<03588>
Pa
<0637>
gwnet
<08588>
lyokl
<03684>
hwan
<05000>
al (19:10)
<03808>
LXXM
ou
<3364>  
ADV
sumferei
<4851>  
V-PAI-3S
afroni
<878>  
A-DSM
trufh
<5172>  
N-NSF
kai
<2532>  
CONJ
ean
<1437>  
CONJ
oikethv
<3610>  
N-NSM
arxhtai
<757>  
V-AMS-3S
mey
<3326>  
PREP
ubrewv
<5196>  
N-GSF
dunasteuein
 
V-PAN
NET © [draft] ITL
Luxury
<08588>
is not
<03808>
appropriate
<05000>
for a fool
<03684>
; how much
<0637>
less for
<03588>
a servant
<05650>
to rule
<04910>
over princes
<08269>
!
NET © Notes

1 tn The form נָאוֶה (na’veh) is an adjective meaning “seemly; comely” in the older English versions like KJV, ASV, “fitting” in more recent ones (e.g., NASB, NIV, NRSV). The verbal root נוֹה only occurs in the Pilel stem; but it also has the basic meaning of “being fitting; being comely.” In this sentence the form is a predicate adjective.

2 sn The verse is simply observing two things that are misfits. It is not concerned with a fool who changes and can handle wealth, or a servant who changes to become a nobleman. It is focused on things that are incongruous.

3 sn In the ancient world the prince would be trained for his rule (hence, one of the original purposes of Proverbs). A slave ruling over princes would be arrogant and cruel, or foolish and unwise. For other unbearable things, e.g., 11:22; 17:7; 26:1; and 30:21-23.