Proverbs 17:5-6 (ESV)
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.
Every human being bears the image of God and possesses immeasurable worth. Solomon warns that whoever mocks the poor does far more than ridicule another person. To despise those in need, speak contemptuously of them, or show no compassion for their suffering is to insult the very God who created them. How we treat the vulnerable reveals what we truly believe about their Creator.
Solomon then widens the warning. Not only is it sinful to mock the poor, it is equally sinful to rejoice when anyone experiences calamity. Whether their hardship comes through poverty, failure, illness, or personal tragedy, God forbids us from taking secret pleasure in another person’s downfall. As Paul reminds us, love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Anyone who delights in another person’s misery will not escape God’s righteous judgment.
In verse 6, Solomon turns from compassion toward the vulnerable to the blessing of a godly family. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.” The Hebrew word translated “crown” is atarah, referring to an ornamental headdress worn as a symbol of honor and dignity. For grandparents, godly children and grandchildren are among life’s greatest earthly blessings. They are evidence of God’s kindness across generations and a visible testimony to a life invested in what truly matters.
The second line reminds us that this honor flows both ways. “The glory of children is their fathers.” Godly parents become a source of joy, security, and honor to their children. Although every child is ultimately responsible for her own choices, faithful parents leave a legacy that blesses future generations. Our lives influence far more people than we often realize.
How do you respond when someone you dislike experiences hardship? Do you secretly feel vindicated or satisfied? Remember that everything you have is a gift from God, and apart from his grace, your circumstances could be very different. Ask the Lord to expose any pride or resentment hidden in your heart and to replace it with genuine compassion. Then treat every person with dignity, grieve with those who suffer, and faithfully invest in the generations God has entrusted to your care.