Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish. Ver. 1. _Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge._] Here is showed, that adversity is the best university, saith an interpreter. _Schola crucis, schola lucis._ _a_ Corrections of instruction are the way of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn._ Ver. 2. _A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord._] Or, "Hath what he will of God"; _id quod vult a Domino impetrat; quia eius voluntas est ipsissima Dei voluntas, nec aliud vult._ Thus Mercer out of Rabbi Lev... [ Continue Reading ]
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. Ver. 3. _A man shall not be established by wickedness._] For he lays his foundation upon firework, and brimstone is scattered upon his house top: if the fire of God from heaven but flash upon it, it will... [ Continue Reading ]
A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones. Ver. 4. _A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband._] Heb., A valiant woman; an able housewife, such as Bathsheba commends to her son, Pro 31:10-31 and as Paul describes. Tit 2:4-5 She is sai... [ Continue Reading ]
_The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit._ Ver. 5. _The thoughts of the righteous are right._] He feeds his thoughts upon the best objects, those especially mentioned in that little Bible, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are tr... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. Ver. 6. _The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood._] As they think not, so neither speak they the language of the righteous. "Ye are the light of the world"; Mat 5:14 and because the... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. Ver. 7. _The wicked are overthrown, and are not._] Say that the righteous cannot prevail by their apologies for themselves and others, God will take the matter into his own hand, and avenge them, Luk 18:7 as he di... [ Continue Reading ]
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. Ver. 8. _A man shall be commended according to his wisdom._] And all wisdom consists in this, _Ut Deum quis cognoscat et colat,_ saith Lactantius; - That a man rightly know and worship God. This... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Proverbs 12:9 _[He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread._ Ver. 9. _Better is he that is despised._] Viz., Of others, and hath no extraordinary opinion of himself, but sticks close to his business, and hath help at hand when he plea... [ Continue Reading ]
_A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel._ Ver. 10. _A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast._] There be beasts _ad usum, et ad esum._ Some are profitable alive, not dead, as the dog, horse, &c.; some dead, not alive, as the hog; s... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding._ Ver. 11. _He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied, &c._] This is true of all other lawful callings, manual or mental, - the sweat of the brow or of the brain. Sin brought in... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit]. Ver. 12. _The wicked desireth the net of evil men,_] _i.e., _ He so furiously pursueth his lusts, as if he desired destruction; as if he would outdare God himself; as if the guerdon of his gracelessness would... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Ver. 13. _The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips._] His heart is oft so full of venom that it cannot be hid, but blisters his tongue, and breaks out at his lips to his own ruin, as it bef... [ Continue Reading ]
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. Ver. 14. _A man shall be satiated with good, &c._] There are "empty vines that bear fruit to themselves." Hos 10:1 And as empty casks sound loudest, and base metal rings s... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise. Ver. 15. _The way of a fool is right in his own eyes._] He thinks his own wit best. _Consilii satis est in me mihi; _ _a_ he will not part with his commonwealth of baubles for the Tower of London. And such... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame. Ver. 16. A fool's wrath is presently known.] He hath no power over his passions. Hence פתי, a fool, and פתאם, suddenly, rashly, are from the same root. Like tow, he is soon kindled; like a pot, he soon boils; and like a candle w... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 12:17 [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Ver. 17. _He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness._] Will be ready to help the truth in necessity, and will do it boldly, as the word signifies - even with a courage not budging, for "Charity... [ Continue Reading ]
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health. Ver. 18. _There is that speaketh lies like the piercings of a sword._] False witnesses do so, with a witness. As Doeg, Psa 52:2 and his fellow hacksters with their murdering weapons in David's bones, Psa 4... [ Continue Reading ]
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment. Ver. 19. _The lips of truth shall be established for ever._] _Veritas odium parit:_ Truth breeds hatred: a good mistress she is, but he that follows her too close at heels, may hap have his teeth struck out. H... [ Continue Reading ]
Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy. Ver. 20. _Deceit is in the heart of them, &c._] Incendiaries and make-baits, counsellors of contention, have twenty devices to make trouble, and to put all into a combustion; but they shall either be defea... [ Continue Reading ]
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Ver. 21. _There shall no evil happen to the just._] First, For evil of sin: God will not lead him into temptation, but will cut off occasions, remove stumbling blocks out of his way: devoratory evils, as Tertullia... [ Continue Reading ]
Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight. Ver. 22. _Lying lips are abomination to the Lord._] Who hath therefore threatened to "cut them off," Psa 12:3 and to broil them on "coals of juniper," Psa 120:4 which burn sweetly, fiercely, lastingly; and to make... [ Continue Reading ]
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. Ver. 23. _A prudent man concealeth knowledge,_] _scil., _ Till he finds a fit time to vent it; for then "the lips of the wise do spread abroad knowledge." Pro 15:7 He is no niggard where there is need, but loves not... [ Continue Reading ]
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Ver. 24. _The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,_] _i.e., _ It shall make rich, and so get preferment; for, _regina pecunia; _ money bears the mastery, and is a common meddler in most businesses. Agathocles, by hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Ver. 25. _Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop._] Grief is like lead to the soul, - heavy and cold; it sinks downward, and carries the soul with it; Aιφα γαρ εν κακοτητι βροτοι καταγηρασκουσι. _a_ How decrepit... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. Ver. 26. _The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour._] Let him dwell by whomsoever; he is ever a better man than his neighbours; he is "a prince of God" among them, as Abraham was among the Hitti... [ Continue Reading ]
The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious. Ver. 27. The slothful (or deceitful) man roasteth not that which he took in hunting.] He shall never enjoy his evil gotten goods; but "though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare... [ Continue Reading ]
In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death. Ver. 28. _In the way of righteousness is life._] And life, in any sense, is a sweet mercy, a precious indulgence. Life natural is but a little spot of time between two eternities, before and after, but it is of... [ Continue Reading ]