--- title: "Proverbs 18 - Study King James Bible with clarkes commentary" description: "Read Proverbs 18 with clarkes commentary commentary. 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart" image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/clarkes-commentary/proverbs/18" --- [ Read](/kjv/proverbs/18)[ Commentary](/study/proverbs/18)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/proverbs/18) Audio 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh *and* intermeddleth with all wisdom.* 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, *then* cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth *are as* deep waters, *and* the wellspring of wisdom *as* a flowing brook. 5 *It is* not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth *is* his destruction, and his lips *are* the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer *are* as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.*** 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD *is* a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.* 11 The rich man’s wealth *is* his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour *is* humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth *it*, it *is* folly and shame unto him.* 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 *He that is* first in his own cause *seemeth* just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended *is harder to be won* than a strong city: and *their* contentions *are* like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; *and* with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life *are* in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 *Whoso* findeth a wife findeth a good *thing*, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man *that hath* friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend *that* sticketh closer than a brother. [Proverbs 17](/study/proverbs/17) [Proverbs 19](/study/proverbs/19) ## Commentary To verse 1 Verse [Proverbs 18:1](/kjv/proverbs/18/1). ***Through desire a man, having separated himself*** — The original is difficult and obscure. The *Vulgate, Septuagint*, and *Arabic*, read as follows: "He who wishes to break with his friend, *and* seeks occasions or pretenses, shall at all times be worthy of blame." My old MS. Bible translates, *Occasioun seeketh that wil go awei* *fro a freend: at al tyme he schal ben wariable*. *Coverdale* thus: "Who so hath pleasure to sowe discorde, piketh a quarrel in every thinge." Bible by *Barker*, 1615: "Fro the desire *thereof* he will separate himself to seeke it, and occupie himself in all wisdome." Which has in the margin the following note: "He that loveth wisdom will separate himself from all impediments, and give himself wholly to seek it." The Hebrew: לתאוה יבקש נפרד בכל תושיה יתגלע *lethaavah yebakkesh* *niphrad, bechol tushiyah yithgalla*. The nearest translation to the words is perhaps the following: "He who is separated shall seek the desired thing, (i.e., the object of his desire,) and shall intermeddle (mingle himself) with all realities or all essential knowledge." He finds that he can make little progress in the *investigation* of *Divine* and *natural* things, if he have much to do with *secular* or *trifling matters*: he therefore *separates* *himself* as well from *unprofitable pursuits* as from *frivolous* *company*, and then *enters into the spirit* of his pursuit; is not satisfied with *superficial* observances, but examines the *substance* and *essence*, as far as possible, of those things which have been the objects of his *desire*. 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