“A man who is kind benefits himself”: “Man” in both lines of the verse is not intended to be exclusively an adult male and so an inclusive form such as “people,” “you who,” or “anyone” is better. “Kind” translates the Hebrew adjective meaning “merciful,” “good,” or “loyal.” “Benefits” refers here to profits or rewards.

“But a cruel man hurts himself”: “Cruel” contrasts with “kind” in the first line and means one who is fierce, angry, or violent. “Hurts” contrasts with “benefits” and means to do harm, injure, or cause trouble. “Himself” renders a different word than used in the first line and means “flesh.” In this context it has the sense of “himself”.

The point of this saying is that a person’s behavior toward others has unexpected consequences for himself or herself. Good News Translation may serve as a model translation. Bible en français courant is another model: “Goodness benefits the one who practices it, but cruelty turns itself against the one who is guilty of it.2

We may also say, for example, “Be kind to others and you will be rewarded; be cruel and you will suffer the results.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .