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.
Proverbs 18:3. When the wicked cometh, &c.— When the wicked entereth, contempt entereth with him; and with a reproachful man, reproach. See Schultens. Instead of ignominy, we may read, turpitude, scandalous behaviour.
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.
Proverbs 18:5. To accept the person, &c.— This phrase has principally, if not always, a judicial meaning. See Leviticus 19:15.Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 16:19. The propriety of the expression will appear, when we find that it is applied to such qualifications as have no relation to the cause; namely, riches, friendship, or family connections. These are visible like the face of one man to another: but the merits of the cause are not apparent till investigated. See Grotius, and Foster's Sermons, vol. 3: p. 12.
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.
Proverbs 18:8. The words, &c.— The words of a rancorous person are like morsels greedily swallowed; they sink into the lower parts of the belly. Schultens, see his note. Houbigant renders it, The words of a talebearer are indeed smooth and soft; but they afterwards go down, &c.
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.
Proverbs 18:12. Before destruction, &c.— Before destruction a man is haughty, as before honour he is modest, or humble. Houbigant.
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?
Proverbs 18:14. Who can bear?— Or, Who can raise it up?
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.
Proverbs 18:17. He that is first in his own cause— "He that speaks first in any cause will undoubtedly set his side in the most favourable and most plausible light; but when the defendant replies, all his arguments will be brought to the test, and all his sophisms laid open and confuted." This and the following proverbs relate to judicial proceedings. See Grotius and Calmet.
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.
Proverbs 18:19. A brother offended— As a fortified city is a brother assisted by a brother; and they who mutually love one another, are like the bars of a castle. Houb. following the Vulgate. The author of the Observations, remarking that these bars were frequently of brass or iron, says, "According to this, there may be something more in the emphasis of the following passage than has been remarked. Their contentions are like the bars of a castle; not merely hard to be removed, on account of their size, but on account of the materials of which they were made; as not being of wood, but of iron or brass." See 1 Kings 4:13.Isaiah 45:2; Isaiah 45:2.
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.
Proverbs 18:22. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing— He who findeth a good wife, findeth a good thing. Houbigant, after many of the versions. See chap. Proverbs 19:14. The LXX and Vulgate read at the end of this verse, He that putteth away a good wife putteth away a good thing, but he who retains an adulteress is foolish and wicked.
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.