prudent man. This is repeated at Proverbs 27:12. A person who is knowledgeable in the Scriptures and also of human events can be forewarned when troubles are imminent and make appropriate preparations. Those who are self-centered and indifferent to important matters will often be carried away.

Train up. Train up” is from a Hebrew word normally translated “dedicate” or “consecrate.” The phrase “in the way he should go” is, literally, “according to his way”—that is, the “way” intended for him by his God-given abilities and interests. Parents should seek to ascertain this in a child's nature, and then dedicate him or her to that sacred cause, that the child when grown may make the optimum contribution to the kingdom of God.

servant to the lender. Therefore, “owe no man anything, but to love one another” (Romans 13:8).

heart of a child. Modern theories of child-raising which allow children full freedom of expression when they are not yet wise or experienced enough to make intelligent choices are self-defeating. See on Proverbs 13:24.

words of the wise. A new section of Proverbs begins at this verse, extending through Proverbs 24:34. Either written or collected by an individual or group identified simply as “the wise,” the probability is that these were actually part of Solomon's collection, discovered later. As in the first nine chapters, several sections are addressed to “my son” (Proverbs 23:15, 19, 26; 24:13, 21). After all, who would more likely be meant by “the wise” than Solomon himself?

certainty of the words. Before we can effectively “give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15) as we try to witness to others concerning God, we first must know the certainty of the “Word of truth” ourselves. An “uncertain sound” of a trumpet can hardly prepare others for the battle (1 Corinthians 14:8).

ancient landmark. See also Proverbs 23:10; Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17. The lands were originally divided by the Lord (Genesis 10:32), when He “set the bounds of the people” (Deuteronomy 32:8). The “earth is the Lord's” (Psalm 24:1), and He can give and transfer the lands according to His will (Acts 17:26). These God-given boundaries should be respected.

thy fathers. There is also an important spiritual application in this verse. The “landmark” may be a spiritual standard, established by our spiritual forefathers, God-honoring and God-blessed. There is always a tendency for each new generation to try to modernize the ways of their fathers and, in view of the universal law of decay, this is more often a mistake.