Solicitude

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Proverbs 12:10 | A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Richard M. Blaylock, PhD, writes (edited for length):

On Compassion and Cruelty: A Brief Reflection on Proverbs 12:10

On the one hand, the verse states that a righteous person is one who is so filled with compassion that his care extends even beyond the bounds of human society. Not only does he care for those within his household, but he even concerns himself with the state of his cattle.

Here, I would argue that the reference to the righteous caring for “his beasts” is intended to serve a primarily rhetorical function: it highlights (in contrast to the wicked) the depths of the righteous person’s compassion. While it does have a bearing on how people should treat animals, the verse is really a call for readers to examine whether or not their lives are marked by generous compassion because such generous compassion is inseparable from true righteousness.

On the other hand, Solomon contends that the wicked are so filled with malice that what they consider to be compassionate leads only to more suffering. The proverb uses the adjective “cruel” (אכזרי) to describe the compassion of the wicked. This same adjective is used in prophetic literature to refer to the destructive ferocity of armies used by YHWH to level nations in His judgment (Isa 13:9; Jer 6:23; 30:14; 50:42). The word is used to speak of realities that bring about immense levels of pain and destruction; and according to Solomon, the so-called “compassion” of the wicked should be classed as one of these destructive realities.

Perhaps if Christians today reflected on the intended meaning of Prov 12:10, we would find it to be helpful on two fronts. First, the verse would help us by convicting us of our lack of compassion. (...) Christians are called to live lives filled with righteousness after the model of Christ himself. But according to Prov 12:10, true righteousness evidences itself in generous compassion. How generous is our compassion? (...)

But in addition, the verse would also help us to learn how to live within our current culture. When we remember Prov 12:10, we are given insight into why a society that prizes compassion simultaneously champions so many causes that lead only to more suffering and destruction.

Another commentary (BibleHub) reads:

A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast | This phrase emphasizes the moral character of a righteous person, highlighting compassion and stewardship over creation. In biblical times, animals were essential for agriculture, transportation, and daily life, making their well-being crucial. The righteous man's care reflects God's command in Genesis 1:28 to have dominion over the earth responsibly. This care for animals can be seen as a reflection of God's own compassion, as seen in Psalm 145:9, where the Lord is described as good to all, with mercy over all His works. The righteous person's actions mirror the character of God, who values all His creation.

The same commentary continues:

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. | This contrast serves as a warning against hypocrisy and encourages genuine compassion, aligning with the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7:15-20, where He warns against false prophets who appear harmless but are inwardly dangerous.

Questions we might ask ourselves in a daily examination of conscience.

1. Did I communicate in a way that intentionally intensified someone's pain?
2. Did I consider my words carefully when responding to a question or was my response driven by a previous wound?
3. If I sparked upset in another person, did I invite them to express their needs in the aftermath of an exchange.
4. Did I act on advice that I knew to be merely self serving and put my desire to protect my power before the feelings of another person?
5. Can I admit to myself that perhaps what I assumed to be another person's opinion was really me projecting onto that person my own incomplete understanding?