---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Proverbs 4:1. Hear, ye children — Come, my pupils, and hear how a father instructed his child. Such as I received from my father I give to you, and"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/proverbs/4"
---

Verse [Proverbs 4:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/1). ***Hear, ye children*** — Come, my pupils, and hear how a father instructed his child. Such as I received from *my father* I give to you, and they were the teachings of a wise and affectionate parent to his only son, a peculiar object of his regards, and also those of a *fond mother*.
He introduces the subject thus, to show that the teaching he received, and which he was about to give them, was the most excellent of its kind. By this he ensured their attention, and made his way to their heart. Teaching by *precept* is good; teaching by *example* is better; but teaching *both by precept and example* is best of all.

Verse [Proverbs 4:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/4). ***He taught me also, and said*** — Open thy heart to receive my instructions-receive them with affection; when heard, retain and practise them; and thou shalt live-the great purpose of thy being brought into the world shall be accomplished in thee.

Verse [Proverbs 4:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/5). ***Get wisdom*** — True religion is essential to thy happiness; never *forget* its teachings, nor go *aside* from the path it prescribes.

Verse [Proverbs 4:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/6). ***Forsake her not*** — Wisdom personified is here represented as a *guardian* and *companion*, who, if not forsaken, will continue faithful; if loved, will continue a protector.

Verse [Proverbs 4:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/7). ***Wisdom*****is*****the principal thing*** — ראשית חכמה *reshith* *chochmah*, "wisdom is the principle." It is the *punctum saliens* in all religion to know the true God, and *what* he requires of man, and *for what* he has made man; and to this must be added, under the Christian dispensation, *to know Jesus Christ whom he hath sent*, and for *what end* HE was *sent*, the *necessity* of his being *sent,* and the *nature* of that *salvation* which he has *bought by his own* *blood*.
***Get wisdom*** — Consider this as thy *chief gain*; that in reference to which all *thy* wisdom, knowledge, and endeavours should be directed.
***And with all thy getting*** — Let this be thy *chief property*. While thou art passing through things temporal, do not lose those things which are eternal; and, while *diligent in business*, be *fervent in* *spirit, serving the Lord*.
***Get understanding.*** — Do not be contented with the lessons of wisdom merely; do not be satisfied with having a sound religious creed; *devils* believe and tremble; but see that thou properly *comprehend* all that thou hast learnt; and see that thou rightly apply all that thou hast been taught.
*Wisdom* prescribes the best end, and the means best calculated for its attainment. *Understanding* directs to the ways, times, places, and opportunities of practicing the lessons of wisdom. *Wisdom* points out the *thing requisite; understanding* sees to the *accomplishment* and *attainment*. *Wisdom sees*; but *understanding* *feels*. One *discovers*, the other *possesses*.
*Coverdale* translates this whole verse in a very remarkable manner: "The chefe poynte of wyssdome is, that thou be wyllynge to opteyne wyssdome; and before all thy goodes to get the understandynge." This is *paraphrase*, not *translation*. In this version *paraphrase* abounds.
The translation in my old MS. Bible is very simple: *Begynnynge* *of wisdam, welle thou wisdam; in al thi wisdam, and in al thi* *possioun, purchas prudence*. He is already wise who seeks wisdom; and he is wise who knows its value, seeks to possess it. The whole of this verse is wanting in the *Arabic*, and in the best copies of the *Septuagint*.
Instead of קנה חכמה *keneh chochmah, get wisdom*, the *Complutensian* Polyglot has קנה בינה *keneh binah, get* *understanding*; so that in it the verse stands, "Wisdom is the principle, get understanding; and in all this getting, get understanding." This is not an error either of the *scribe*, or of the *press*, for it is supported by *seven* of the MSS. of *Kennicott* and *De Rossi*.
The *Complutensian, Antwerp*, and *Paris* Polyglots have the *seventh* verse in the *Greek* text; but the two latter, in general, copy the former.

Verse [Proverbs 4:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/8). ***She shall bring thee to honour*** — There is nothing, a strict life of piety and benevolence excepted, that has such a direct tendency to *reflect honour* upon a man, as the careful *cultivation of his mind*. One of *Bacon's* aphorisms was, *Knowledge* *is power*; and it is truly astonishing to see what *influence* true learning has. Nothing is so universally respected, provided the learned man be a *consistent moral character*, and be not proud and overbearing; which is a disgrace to genuine literature.

Verse [Proverbs 4:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/9). ***A crown of glory*** — A tiara, diadem, or crown, shall not be more honourable to the princely wearer, than sound wisdom-true religion-coupled with deep learning, shall be to the Christian and the scholar.

Verse [Proverbs 4:10](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/10). ***The years of thy life shall be many.*** — Vice and intemperance impair the health and shorten the days of the wicked; while true religion, sobriety, and temperance, prolong them. The principal part of our diseases springs from "indolence, intemperance, and disorderly passions." Religion excites to *industry*, promotes *sober habits*, and destroys *evil passions*, and *harmonizes* the soul; and thus, by preventing many diseases, necessarily prolongs life.

Verse [Proverbs 4:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/12). ***Thy steps shall not be straitened*** — True wisdom will teach thee to keep out of embarrassments. A man under the influence of true religion *ponders* his paths, and carefully *poises* *occurring circumstances*; and as the fear of God will ever lead him to act an upright and honest part, so his way in business and life is both *clear* and *large*. He has no *by-ends* to serve; he *speculates* not; he uses neither *trick* nor *cunning* to effect any purpose. Such a man can never be embarrassed. *His steps are not* *straitened*; he sees his way always plain; and when a favourable tide of Providence shows him the necessity of increased *exertion*, he *runs*, and is in no danger of *stumbling*.

Verse [Proverbs 4:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/13). ***Take fast hold*** — החזק *hachazek, seize it strongly*, and keep the hold; and do this as *for life*. Learn all thou canst, retain what thou hast learnt, and keep the reason continually in view - *it is for thy life*.

Verse [Proverbs 4:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/14). ***Enter not into the path of the wicked*** — Never *associate* with those whose life is irregular and sinful; never *accompany* them in any of their acts of transgression.

Verse [Proverbs 4:15](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/15). ***Avoid it*** — Let it be the serious purpose of thy soul to shun every appearance of evil.
***Pass not by it*** — Never, for the sake of worldly gain, or through complaisance to others, *approach the way* that thou wouldst not wish to be found in when God calls thee into the eternal world.
***Turn from it*** — If, through *unwatchfulness* or *unfaithfulness*, thou at any time get *near* or *into the way* of sin, *turn from it* with the utmost speed, and humble thyself before thy Maker.
***And pass away.*** — Speed from it, run for thy life, and get to the utmost distance; eternally diverging so as never to come near it whilst thou hast a being.

Verse [Proverbs 4:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/16). ***Except they have done mischief*** — The *night* is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some *booty*, before they *go to rest*. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in *prosperity*, or receiving a kindness. The address in *Virgil*, to an ill-natured shepherd is well known: -
Et cum vidisti puero donata, dolebas:
Et si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses.
ECLOG. iii. 14.

"When thou sawest the gifts given to the lad, thou wast distressed; and hadst thou not found some means of doing him a mischief, thou hadst died."

Verse [Proverbs 4:17](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/17). ***For they eat the bread of wickedness*** — By *privately* stealing.
***And drink the wine of violence.*** — By *highway robbery*.

Verse [Proverbs 4:18](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/18). ***But the path of the just*** — The path of the wicked is gloomy, dark, and dangerous; that of the righteous is open, luminous, and instructive. This verse contains a fine metaphor; it refers to the *sun* rising above the horizon, and the increasing twilight, till his beams shine full upon the earth. The original, הולך ואור עד נכון היום *holech vaor ad nechon haiyom*, may be translated, "going and illuminating unto the prepared day." This seems plainly to refer to the progress of the rising *sun* while below the horizon; and the gradual increase of the light occasioned by the reflection of his rays by means of the *atmosphere*, till at last he is completely elevated above the horizon, and then the *prepared day* has fully taken place, the sun having risen *at the determined time*. So, the truly wise man is but in his twilight here below; but he is in a state of glorious *preparation* for the realms of everlasting light; till at last, emerging from darkness and the shadows of death, he is ushered into the full blaze of endless felicity. Yet previously to his enjoyment of this glory, which is prepared for him, he is *going* - walking in the commandments of his God blameless; and *illuminating* - reflecting the light of the salvation which he has received on all those who form the circle of his acquaintance.

Verse [Proverbs 4:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/21). ***Keep them in the midst of thine heart.*** — Let them be wrapped up in the very *centre of thy affections*; that they may give spring and energy to every desire, word, and wish.

Verse [Proverbs 4:23](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/23). ***Keep thy heart with all diligence*** — "Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray.
***For out of it*****are*****the issues of life.*** — תוצאות חיים *totseoth* *chaiyim*, "the goings out of lives." Is not this a plain allusion to the *arteries* which carry the blood from the heart through the whole body, and to the utmost extremities? As long as the heart is capable of receiving and propelling the blood, so long *life* is continued. Now as the heart is the fountain whence all the streams of life proceed, care must be taken that the fountain be not stopped up nor injured. A double watch for its safety must be kept up. So in spiritual things: the heart is the seat of the Lord of life and glory; and the streams of spiritual life proceed from him to all the powers and faculties of the soul. Watch with all diligence, that this fountain be not sealed up, nor these streams of life be cut off. Therefore "put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips - and let thy eyes look straight on." Or, in other words, look *inward* - look *onward* - look *upward*.
I know that the *twenty-third* verse is understood as principally referring to the evils which proceed from the heart, and which must be guarded against; and the good purposes that must be formed in it, from which *life* takes its colouring. The former should be opposed; the latter should be encouraged and strengthened. If the heart be pure and holy, all its purposes will be just and good. If it be impure and defiled, nothing will proceed from it but abomination. But though all this be true, I have preferred following what I believe to be the *metaphor* in the text.

Verse [Proverbs 4:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/24). ***A froward mouth*** — Beware of hastiness, anger, and rash speeches.
***And perverse lips*** — Do not delight in nor acquire the *habit of* *contradicting* and *gainsaying*; and beware of *calumniating* and *backbiting* your neighbour.

Verse [Proverbs 4:26](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/26). ***Ponder the path of thy feet*** — *Weigh* well the part thou shouldst act in life. See that thou contract no bad *habits*.

Verse [Proverbs 4:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/27). ***Turn not to the right hand nor to the left*** — Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid *tricks, wiles*, and *deceptions* of this kind.
To this the *Septuagint* and *Vulgate* add the following verse: Αυτος δε ορθας ποιησει τας τροχιας σου, τας δε πορειας σου εν ειρηνη προαξει. Ipse autem rectos faciet cursus tuos; itinera autem tua in pace producet. "For himself will make thy paths straight and thy journeyings will he conduct in prosperity." The *Arabic* has also a clause to the same effect. But nothing like this is found in the *Hebrew, Chaldee*, or *Syriac*; nor in the *Vulgate*, as printed in the *Complutensian* Polyglot; nor in that of *Antwerp* or of *Paris*; but it is in the Greek text of those editions, in the *editio princeps* of the Vulgate, in *five* of my own MSS., and in the old MS. Bible. *De Lyra* rejects the clause as a *gloss* that stands on no authority. If an *addition*, it is certainly *very ancient*; and the promise it contains is true whether the clause be authentic or not.

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