PROVERBS CHAPTER 18 According to this interpretation the sense is,
THROUGH DESIRE (of it, to wit of wisdom, which is easily understood
out of the end of the verse; such ellipses being frequent in
Scripture) A MAN, HAVING SEPARATED HIMSELF, (being sequestered from
the company, and noise, and business... [ Continue Reading ]
IN UNDERSTANDING; in getting sound and saving knowledge, either by his
own study, or by the instructions of wise and good men. BUT THAT HIS
HEART MAY DISCOVER ITSELF. Heb. _but_ (his delight is) _in the
discovery of his own heart_, i.e. in uttering that folly and
wickedness which is in his heart; be... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE WICKED COMETH into any place or company, THEN COMETH ALSO
CONTEMPT; either,
1. Passively; he is justly contemned and reproached by those who
converse with him. Or rather,
2. Actively; he despiseth and scorneth all instruction and reproof,
neither fearing God nor reverencing man; for he se... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN S, i.e. a wise man s, as the next clause explains this; who is
worthy of the name and hath the understanding of a man in him. This
Hebrew word ofttimes notes an eminent or excellent person, and
therefore is opposed to Adam, which designs any ordinary man. AS DEEP
WATERS; full of deep wisdom. T... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT GOOD, i.e. it is a most wicked and hateful thing. SEE POOLE
ON "PROVERBS 17:15,26. TO ACCEPT THE PERSON; to favour his unrighteous
cause.... [ Continue Reading ]
A FOOL'S LIPS ENTER INTO CONTENTION; a fool by his rash and wicked
speeches provoketh others to quarrel with him, and, as it follows, to
strike him. HIS MOUTH CALLETH FOR STROKES; procureth strokes to
himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF A TALE-BEARER, who privily slandereth his neighbour, ARE
AS WOUNDS; deeply wound the reputation, and afterwards the heart, of
the slandered person. Compare PROVERBS 12:18. Or, as others render the
word, are AS SMOOTH OR FLATTERING, i.e. they really are so; the
particle as being oft used... [ Continue Reading ]
They are alike; though they take several paths, yet both come to one
end, even to extreme want and poverty.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NAME OF THE LORD, i.e. the Lord, as he hath revealed himself in
his works, and especially in his word by his promises, and the
declarations of his infinite perfections, and of his good will to his
people. IS A STRONG TOWER; is sufficient for our protection in case of
the greatest dangers. THE RI... [ Continue Reading ]
He trusts to his wealth, as that which will either enable him to
resist his enemy, or at least purchase his favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE DESTRUCTION THE HEART OF MAN IS HAUGHTY; pride is a cause and
presage of ruin, as is noted, PROVERBS 16:18. _Is_; or, _goeth_. This
clause we had PROVERBS 15:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE HE HEARETH IT; before he hath fully heard and considered what
another is speaking about it. IT IS FOLLY AND SHAME; it is a shameful
folly, though he seek the reputation of a wise man by it, as if he
could readily and thoroughly understand all that another cart say
before he hath uttered it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT, i.e. the soul, to wit, which is unwounded, as appears by
the opposite branch of the verse; which is vigorous and cheerful,
supported by the sense of God's love, and the conscience of its own
integrity, and the prospect of its present peace and future happiness.
WILL SUSTAIN HIS INFIRMITY... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEART OF THE PRUDENT GETTETH KNOWLEDGE, by employing his thoughts
and studies upon it. THE EAR OF THE WISE GETTETH KNOWLEDGE, by a
greedy and diligent attention to those from whom he may learn it.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKETH ROOM FOR HIM; procures him free access to great men. Heb.
_enlargeth him_, as this very phrase is rendered, PSALMS 4:1, and
elsewhere; freeth him from straits and oppressions. BRINGETH HIM
BEFORE GREAT MEN; gets him favour and free conversation with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS FIRST IN HIS OWN CAUSE, he that first pleadeth his cause,
SEEMETH JUST, both to himself and to the judge or court, by his fair
pretences. HIS NEIGHBOUR COMETH, to contend with him in judgment and
to plead his cause, AND SEARCHETH HIM; examineth the truth and weight
of his allegations, and... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUSETH CONTENTIONS TO CEASE, by determining the matters in
difference. PARTETH; maketh a partition, giveth to every one what is
right or meet, by the disposition of Divine Providence. BETWEEN THE
MIGHTY; so it doth also between mean persons, but he mentions the
mighty because they are most prone to... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFENDED, to wit, by his brother's unkindness or injury. IS HARDER TO
BE WON; or, _is stronger_, which is sufficiently understood by the
mention of a strong city, to which he is compared; such ellipses being
frequent in the Hebrew, as hath been noted before. THAN A STRONG CITY;
which is hardly to be... [ Continue Reading ]
Wise and edifying discourses tend to the comfort and satisfaction of
the speaker, as well as to the good of the hearers.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE; are brought upon men by the good or
bad use of their tongues. THAT LOVE IT; either,
1. The tongue; that love and use much talking, which is oft censured
as a sin, and a cause of mischief. See PROVERBS 10:19 JAMES 1:19. Or,
2. The use of their tongue in either of tho... [ Continue Reading ]
A WIFE; either,
1. Simply a wife; for a wife, though she be not the best of her kind,
is to be esteemed a blessing, being useful both for society of life,
GENESIS 2:18, and for the mitigation of a man's cares and troubles,
and for the prevention of sins. Or,
2. Good wife; one that deserves the name... [ Continue Reading ]
USETH ENTREATIES; humbly begs the favour of rich men, as his
necessities and occasions require it. ANSWERETH ROUGHLY; speaketh
proudly and scornfully, either to the poor, or to others that converse
with him, being puffed up with a conceit of his riches, and of his
self-sufficiency.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN THAT HATH FRIENDS, Heb. _a man of friends_; either,
1. Who desires the friendship of others. Or,
2. Who professeth friendship to others. THAT STICKETH CLOSER to him
that desires and needs his help; who is more hearty in the performance
of all friendly offices.... [ Continue Reading ]