1. Every wise, &c.—literally,
"The wisdoms" (compare ) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.
buildeth . . .
house—increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement,
lessen.
2. uprightness—is the fruit of
fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Proverbs 2:15;
Proverbs 3:32) of despising Him and
His law.
3. rod of pride—that is, the
punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of
the wise procure good to them.
4. crib is clean—empty; so
"cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare ). Men get the proper fruit of their doings ().
5. A faithful witness, c.—one
tested to be such.
utter lies—or, "breathe
out lies"—that is, habitually lies ( compare Acts 9:1). Or the
sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in
witness-bearing.
7. Avoid the society of those
who cannot teach you.
8. Appearances deceive the
thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
9. Fools make a mock at sin—or,
"Sin deludes fools."
righteous . . . favour—that
is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.
10. Each one best knows his own
sorrows or joys.
11. (Compare ). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house
and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.
12. end thereof—or, "reward,"
what results (compare Proverbs 5:4).
ways of death—leading
to it.
13. The preceding sentiment
illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
14. filled . . . ways—receive
retribution (Proverbs 1:31).
a good man . . .
himself—literally, "is away from such," will not
associate with him.
15. The simple . . . word—He
is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness ().
17. He . . . angry—literally,
"short of anger" (compare , opposite idea).
man . . . hated—that
is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.
18. inherit—as a portion
(compare Proverbs 3:35).
are crowned—literally,
"are surrounded with it," abound in it.
19. Describes the humbling of
the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
20. This sad but true picture of
human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
21. For such contempt of the
poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the
good.
22. As usual, the interrogative
negative strengthens the affirmative.
mercy and truth—that
is, God's (Psalms 57:3; Psalms 61:7).
23. labour—painful diligence.
talk . . . penury—idle
and vain promises and plans.
24. (Compare ).
foolishness . . . folly—Folly
remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
25. Life often depends on
truth-telling.
a deceitful . . . lies—He
that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted ().
27. (Compare ).
fear of the Lord—or,
"law of the wise," is wisdom ().
28. The teaching of a true
political economy.
29. slow . . .
understanding—(Compare ).
hasty—(Compare ).
exalteth folly—makes it
conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.
30. A sound heart—both
literally and figuratively, a source of health; in the latter sense,
opposed to the known effect of evil passions on health.
34. Righteousness—just
principles and actions.
exalteth—raises to
honor.
is a reproach—brings on
them the ill-will of others (compare ).
CHAPTER 14
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1. Every wise, &c.—literally, "The wisdoms" (compare ) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.
buildeth . . . house—increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement, lessen.
2. uprightness—is the fruit of fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 3:32) of despising Him and His law.
3. rod of pride—that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.
4. crib is clean—empty; so "cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare ). Men get the proper fruit of their doings ().
5. A faithful witness, c.—one tested to be such.
utter lies—or, "breathe out lies"—that is, habitually lies ( compare Acts 9:1). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.
6. An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking (Proverbs 8:9; John 7:17; James 1:5; James 1:6).
7. Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.
8. Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
9. Fools make a mock at sin—or, "Sin deludes fools."
righteous . . . favour—that is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.
10. Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.
11. (Compare ). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.
12. end thereof—or, "reward," what results (compare Proverbs 5:4).
ways of death—leading to it.
13. The preceding sentiment illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
14. filled . . . ways—receive retribution (Proverbs 1:31).
a good man . . . himself—literally, "is away from such," will not associate with him.
15. The simple . . . word—He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness ().
16. (Compare Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 28:14).
rageth—acts proudly and conceitedly.
17. He . . . angry—literally, "short of anger" (compare , opposite idea).
man . . . hated—that is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.
18. inherit—as a portion (compare Proverbs 3:35).
are crowned—literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.
19. Describes the humbling of the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
20. This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
21. For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.
22. As usual, the interrogative negative strengthens the affirmative.
mercy and truth—that is, God's (Psalms 57:3; Psalms 61:7).
23. labour—painful diligence.
talk . . . penury—idle and vain promises and plans.
24. (Compare ).
foolishness . . . folly—Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
25. Life often depends on truth-telling.
a deceitful . . . lies—He that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted ().
26. The blessings of piety descend to children (Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 20:7; Exodus 20:6).
27. (Compare ).
fear of the Lord—or, "law of the wise," is wisdom ().
28. The teaching of a true political economy.
29. slow . . . understanding—(Compare ).
hasty—(Compare ).
exalteth folly—makes it conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.
30. A sound heart—both literally and figuratively, a source of health; in the latter sense, opposed to the known effect of evil passions on health.
31. reproacheth his Maker—who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Proverbs 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 113:7).
32. driven—thrust out violently (compare Psalms 35:5; Psalms 35:6).
hath hope—trusteth (Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 11:4; Psalms 2:12), implying assurance of help.
33. resteth—preserved in quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16).
34. Righteousness—just principles and actions.
exalteth—raises to honor.
is a reproach—brings on them the ill-will of others (compare ).
35. wise—discreet or prudent.
causeth shame— (Proverbs 10:5; Proverbs 12:4) acts basely.