---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 14"
description: "CHAPTER 14   :-. 1. Every wise, &c.—literally,
\"The wisdoms\" (compare  :-) \"of women,\" plural, a distributive form of speech. buildeth . . .
house—inc"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/14"
---

CHAPTER 14

.

**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](../../../kjv/proverbs/2/15);
[Proverbs 3:32](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/9);
[John 7:17](../../../kjv/john/7/17); [James 1:5](../../../kjv/james/1/5);
[James 1:6](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/7);
[Proverbs 28:14](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/psalms/57/3); [Psalms 61:7](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/13/22);
[Proverbs 20:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/20/7); [Exodus 20:6](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/22/2);
[Job 31:15](../../../kjv/job/31/15); and specially [1 Samuel 2:8](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/8);
[Psalms 113:7](../../../kjv/psalms/113/7)).

**32. driven**—thrust out
violently (compare [Psalms 35:5](../../../kjv/psalms/35/5);
[Psalms 35:6](../../../kjv/psalms/35/6)).
**hath hope**—trusteth
([Proverbs 10:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/2); [Proverbs 11:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/4);
[Psalms 2:12](../../../kjv/psalms/2/12)), implying assurance of
help.

**33. resteth**—preserved in
quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly ([Proverbs 12:23](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/23);
[Proverbs 13:16](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/5);
[Proverbs 12:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/4)) acts basely.

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