R. Yonah: He does not abandon his purity amidst fear lest his colleague overpower. He does not use strategies and schemes in his business with others. He does not impose fear, nor answer brazenly.

Malbim: This is a Mashal to contrast the way of Chachmah to the way of folly. One who goes on the way of Chachmah with Temimus, he is like one who comes to a fork in the road. They showed to him the straight path, and he believes, and goes on it. He gains doubly. (a) He does not stumble. (b) He goes confidently, without fear. Refer to 10:9:2:3.

Rashi: He will be broken and afflicted, like "va'Yoda Bahem Es Anshei Sukos" (Shoftim 8:16).

R. Yonah: One who abandons the straight path due to fear of enemies on the road, and he seeks to guard himself, and goes crookedly, [the enemies] sense him more. They know that he abandoned the straight path for the fear of enemies is on him. Similarly, one who is 'shrewd' and abandons the straight path to increase guarding his honor and instilling fear on others, people sense this, and his strategies will not help. The detriment of his stubbornness remains.

Malbim: One who does not go on the good path that they showed to him, rather, he goes on a crooked path, Yivade'a (will be afflicted). Alternatively, he will be known and revealed to ambushers - bandits and vicious beasts on the crooked path.