1.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts"
made with part of them (compare Proverbs 7:14;
Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or
attendant.
2.
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
2. (Compare ).
causeth shame— ().
shall . . . inheritance—that
is, share a brother's part (compare Numbers 27:4;
Numbers 27:7).
3.
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
3. God only knows, as He tries
(Psalms 12:6; Psalms 66:10)
the heart.
4.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
4. Wicked doers and speakers
alike delight in calumny.
5.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
5. (Compare ).
glad at calamities—rejoicing
in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their
hearts.
6.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
6. Prolonged posterity is a
blessing, its cutting off a curse (Proverbs 13:22;
Psalms 109:13-15), hence
children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
7. Excellent speech—(Compare
Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to
suit) a prince (Proverbs 16:12;
Proverbs 16:13).
8.
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
8. One so corrupt as to take a
bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence
(Proverbs 18:16; Proverbs 19:6).
9.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
9. seeketh love—(Compare
Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and
tale-bearer.
10.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
10. Reproof more affects the
wise than severe scourging, fools.
11.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
11. Such meet just retribution
(1 Kings 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one
to inflict it.
12.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
12. They are less rational in
anger than wild beasts.
13.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
13. (Compare Psalms 7:4;
Psalms 35:12).
evil—injury to another
(Proverbs 13:21).
14.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
14. letteth . . . water—as a
breach in a dam.
before . . . meddled
with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation
better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
15. abomination . . . Lord—as
reversing His method of acting (Proverbs 3:32;
Proverbs 12:2).
16.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
16. Though wealth cannot buy
wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth
(Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 14:24).
17.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
17. To the second of these
parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a
brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
18. (Compare Proverbs 6:1-5;
Proverbs 11:15).
in the presence, &c.—that
is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
19. strife—contention is, and
leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his
gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh—or, "findeth,"
as if he sought (compare "loveth death," ).
20.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
20. The second clause advances
on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and
fault-finding incur evil.
21.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
21. (Compare ). Different words are rendered by "fool," both
denoting stupidity and impiety.
22.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
22. (Compare Proverbs 14:30;
Proverbs 15:13). The effect of the
mind on the body is well known.
medicine—or, "body,"
which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth—as if the marrow
were exhausted.
23.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
23. a gift . . . bosom—Money
and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the
bosom.
to pervert—that is, by
bribery.
24.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
24. Wisdom . . . him—ever an
object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
25. a grief—or cross, vexation
(compare Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 10:1).
26.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
26. Also—that is, Equally to
be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good
rulers.
27.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
27, 28. Prudence of speech is
commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain
conversation.
28.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.