A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
Shall eat — Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Keepeth him — From that over-throw which befal sinners.

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Maketh rich — Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches.
Maketh rich — Some rich men profess to be poor.

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Riches — Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
The light — The prosperity.
Rejoiceth — Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psalm 19:5, metaphorically.
Put out — Their felicity shall have a hidden end.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Pride — It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention.
Well-advised — Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations.
Wisdom — Which teaches them to avoid contention.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Vanity — By wicked practices.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Hope deferred — Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires.
The desire — The good desired.
A tree of life — It is satisfactory, and reviving.

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
The word — The word of God.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The law — The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture.

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Giveth — Makes a man acceptable to God.
Rough — Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveller.

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Knowledge — Considerately and discreetly.
Layeth open — By his foolish actions.

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
A messenger — Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge.
Is health — Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Sweet — Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them.

Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
Evil — Punishment proportionable to their sin.

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
The poor — Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich.
Destroyed — Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion.

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Hateth his son — His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred.