A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son brings disaster to his father, and a quarrelsome wife is like water that never stops dripping.
This verse warns that foolish children and constantly arguing spouses can make life miserable for their families.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wisdom sayings, written around 950 BC when family relationships were the foundation of Hebrew society. In ancient Israel, a son's behavior directly reflected on his father's reputation and legacy, while a peaceful home was considered essential for a man's well-being and productivity. The comparison to continual dripping refers to the steady, maddening sound of water drops that would echo through ancient stone houses.
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