Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Ver. 1. _Every wise woman buildeth her own house._] _Quaevis pia perita._ Every holy and handy woman buildeth her house; not only by bearing and breeding up children, as Rachel and Leah builded the house of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him. Ver. 2. _He that walketh in his uprightness, feareth the Lord._] He is "in the fear of the Lord all day long"; Pro 23:17 he walketh "in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Gho... [ Continue Reading ]
In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Ver. 3. _In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride._] Wherewith he beats others, and lays about him like a madman, or rather like a mad dog he bites all he meets, and barks against God himself; till h... [ Continue Reading ]
Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox. Ver. 4. _Where no oxen are, the crib is clean._] The barn and garners are empty. _Neque mola, neque farina; _ no good to be got without hard labour of men and cattle. Let the idle man's motto be that of the... [ Continue Reading ]
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Ver. 5. _A faithful witness will not lie._] _Nec prece nec precio,_ he cannot lend an oath for a need before a magistrate. Nay, he will not lie upon any condition. _See Trapp on "_ Pro 13:5 _"_ But a false witness will utter lie... [ Continue Reading ]
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth. Ver. 6. _A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not._] Or, He seeketh wisdom, and he seeketh it not. He seeketh it not seriously, seasonably, duly; he seeks it as a coward seeks his adversary, wit... [ Continue Reading ]
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge. Ver. 7. _Go from the presence of a foolish man._] If he be a proud fool, as Proverbs 14:6, a scorner and derider of good counsel, and one that knows not how to lisp out the least syllable of savoury lang... [ Continue Reading ]
The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit. Ver. 8. _The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way._] His wisdom begins in the right knowledge of himself, and ends in the right knowledge of God, that he may "walk worthy of God in all well pleasing,... [ Continue Reading ]
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour. Ver. 9. _Fools make a mock of sin._] A sport or pastime of it. Pro 10:23 _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:23 _"_ They dance with the devil all day, and yet think to sup with Christ. But what saith the heathen historian? _Nae, illi falsi su... [ Continue Reading ]
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. Ver. 10. _The heart knoweth his own bitterness_] None can conceive the terrors and torments of a heart that lies under the sense of sin and fear of wrath. A little water in a leaden vessel is heavy. Some can bea... [ Continue Reading ]
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. Ver. 11. _The house of the wicked shall be overthrown._] As Phoca's high walls were, because sin was at the bottom: "Brimstone also shall be scattered on his habitation"; Job 18:15 as it befell Dioclesian... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. Ver. 12. _There is a way that seemeth right unto a man._] Sin comes clothed with a show of reason; Exo 1:10 and lust will so blear the understanding, that he shall think that there is great sense in sinning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness. Ver. 13. _Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful._] _Nulla est sincera voluptas. Labor est etiam ipsa voluptas._ Of carnal pleasures a man may break his neck before his fast. "All this avails me nothing," said Haman... [ Continue Reading ]
_The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself._ Ver. 14. _The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways._] He hath made a match with mischief, he shall soon have enough of it; he hath sold himself to do wickedness, Heb 10:38... [ Continue Reading ]
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going. Ver. 15. _The simple believeth every word._] You may draw him any way with a wet finger, persuade him to anything, as Rehoboam, that old baby. Nηφε και μεμνησο απιστειν, was a very good rule of Epicharmus. Be not ligh... [ Continue Reading ]
A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. Ver. 16. _A wise man feareth and departeth from evil._] He trembleth at the judgments while they hang in the threatenings, meets God with entreaties of peace, and so redeems his own sorrows. _Solo auditu contremis... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 14:17 [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. Ver. 17. _He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly._] Alexander, in his hot blood, slew his dearest friend, whom he would have revived again with his heart blood. “ _Qui non moderabitur irae_ Infectum v... [ Continue Reading ]
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Ver. 18. _The simple inherit folly._] _Acceperunt per successionem seu haereditario iure,_ so one renders it; they are as wise as their forefathers, and they are resolved to be no wiser. _Me ex ea opinione quam a maioribus accepi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous._ Ver. 19. _The evil bow before the good._] Here they do so many times, as Joseph's brethren before him in his greatness, as Saul before Samuel, Belshazzar before Daniel, the persecuting tyrants before Constantine the Great... [ Continue Reading ]
_The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends._ Ver. 20. _The poor is hated,_] _i.e., _ Less loved, little respected, as Gen 29:31 Mal 1:5 Luke 14:26. The heathen could say, Aφιλον το δυστοχες - adversity finds few friends. _Et cum fortuna statque caditque fides._ F... [ Continue Reading ]
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he. Ver. 21. _He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth._] His poor neighbour. Where the hedge is low the beast will easily break over. None usually are so trampled on with the feet of pride and contempt, by the g... [ Continue Reading ]
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good. Ver. 22. _Do they not err that devise evil?_] Heb., That plough it and plot it, that dig it and delve it, that whet their wits and beat their brains about it - do not these err? Are they not heavenly wide, _a... [ Continue Reading ]
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury. Ver. 23. _In all labour there is profit._] In all honest labour, for there are those who "do wickedly with both hands earnestly"; and "what profit have such of all their labour?" Ecc 1:3 Do they not take pains to go t... [ Continue Reading ]
The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly. Ver. 24. _The crown of the wise is their riches._] An ornament, an encouragement in well doing, and an instrument of doing much good, if God give a heart thereto; for _quid cervo ingentia cornua, cum desit animus?_... [ Continue Reading ]
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies. Ver. 25. _A true witness delivereth souls._] Or, Lives that lie at stake. He that helps the truth in such a necessity doth a worthy work. To walk about with slanders is to "shed blood." Eze 22:9 Way was made to that bloody Fr... [ Continue Reading ]
In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. Ver. 26. _In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence._] The reverential fear of God is _monimenturn, munimentum, ornamentum._ The wise man had said, in Proverbs 14:24, "The crown of the wise are their r... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Ver. 27. _The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life._] So said to be, both for the constant faithfulness, as never failing, and for the gracious effects - viz., blessings of all sorts. (1). Temporal; Pro 22:4 riches,... [ Continue Reading ]
In the multitude of people [is] the king's honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince. Ver. 28. In the multitude of the people is the king's honour.] For that is a sign of peace, plenty, prosperity, and just government, as in Solomon's days, when "Israel and Judah were man... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Proverbs 14:29 _[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly._ Ver. 29. _He that is slow to anger is of great understanding._] "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable," tractable. Thunder, hail, tempest, neither trouble nor... [ Continue Reading ]
_A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones._ Ver. 30. _A sound heart is the life of the flesh._] A heart well freed from passions and perturbations holds out long, and enjoys good health; neither causeth it molestation of mind or want of welfare to others. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. Ver. 31. _He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker._] Since it is he that "maketh poor, and that maketh rich, and thereby killeth and maketh alive." 1Sa 2:6-7 Rich men only seem to be alive... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Ver. 32. _The wicked is driven away in his wickedness._] Being arrested by death, as a cruel serjeant, in the devil's name, he is hurried away, and hurled into hell, as dying in his sins, and killed by death. Rev... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known. Ver. 33. _Wisdom resteth in the heart of him, &c._] He sets not his good parts and practices a-sunning, as vain glorious fools used to do, that they may be praised and applauded. As... [ Continue Reading ]
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people. Ver. 34. _Righteousness exalteth a nation._] True religion and the power of godliness is the beauty and bulwark of a state; Deu 28:13 so are good laws, enacted and executed. This made "the faithful city" Isa 1:21 to be the prin... [ Continue Reading ]
The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame. Ver. 35. The king's favour is toward a wise servant.] As was Pharaoh's toward Joseph, Solomon's toward Jeroboam, Darius's toward Daniel, Henry VIII's toward Cromwell, whom, for his wisdom and faithfulne... [ Continue Reading ]