The language of this saying is similar to that of the Instructions in the poems in chapters 1–9. See, for example, 6.32; 8.17.

“He who loves wisdom makes his father glad”: “He who” is literally “a man who.” New Revised Standard Version has translated “A child who” as more appropriate in the context of pleasing a father. In some languages it is not possible to speak of loving an abstract such as “wisdom”. Accordingly, it is sometimes necessary to say “loves doing what is wise” or to use a figurative expression; for example, “If your heart is warm to wisdom” or “If wisdom causes your liver to move.” For “makes his father glad” see 10.1.

“But one who keeps company with harlots squanders his substance”: For warnings against adultery see chapter 5. “Keeps company with harlots” is literally “a friend of harlots.” For “harlots” see 6.26 and 7.10. Note that here association with harlots is condemned because it “squanders . . . substance”, which means “wastes wealth.” “His substance” is ambiguous since “his” might refer back to the father or the son. The meaning is given clearly in New Revised Standard Version: “to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.” Note Good News Translation “It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.” Contemporary English Version goes further: “chasing after bad women will cost you everything.”

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 .