Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. Ver. 1. _Through desire a man having separated himself, &c._] Here the reading that is in margin, methinks, is the better: "He that separates himself" - either from his friend, as the old interpreter makes... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. Ver. 2. _A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself._] Or, In discovering his own heart - _i.e., _ in following his own humour, against all that can be said to the contrary. He is w... [ Continue Reading ]
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. Ver. 3. _When the wicked cometh, then cometh contempt._] It comes into the world with him, so the Hebrew doctors expound it. He is born a contemner of God, of his people, and of his ordinances, being "vainly puffed up... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook. Ver. 4. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters.] Fitly are the words of the wise resembled to waters, saith one, inasmuch as they both wash the minds of the hearers, that the foulness of sin... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 18:5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. Ver. 5. _It is not good to accept the person of the wicked._] Indeed, it is so bad as can hardly be expressed, and is therefore here set forth by the figure _liptote; _ which is, say grammaria... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. Ver. 6. A fool's lips enter into contention.] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 18:5 _"_ And his mouth calleth for strokes] _a_ By his desire upon others; but by desert and effect upon himself. _ a_ _Vehementer doleo, quia vehementer dili... [ Continue Reading ]
_A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul._ Ver. 7. A fool's mouth is his destruction.] Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3 _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:14 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 12:13 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 13:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Ver. 8. _The words of a talebearer are as wounds._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 12:18 _"_ He that takes away a man's good name kills him alive, and ruins him and his posterity; being herein worse than Cain,... [ Continue Reading ]
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Ver. 9. _He also that is slothful in his work._] As he must needs be that goes peddling about with tales, and buzzing evil reports into the ears of those that will hear them. See 1 Timothy 5:3, with the note there. _Lata... [ Continue Reading ]
The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Ver. 10. _The name of the Lord is a strong tower._] God's attributes are called "His name"; because by them he is known as a man is, by his name. These are said to be _Arx roboris,_ a tower so deep, no pioneer can... [ Continue Reading ]
The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Ver. 11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city.] It is hard to have wealth, and not to trust to it. Matthew 19:24 _1 Timothy 5:17_ _; see the notes there_ But wealth was never true to those that trusted it; there... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility._ Ver. 12. _Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty._] Creature confidence and high mindedness are the _Dives's_ richman's diseases, and go therefore yoked together, as here; so in 1 Timothy 6:17 - "Charge the... [ Continue Reading ]
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him. Ver. 13. _He that answereth a matter before he heareth it._] Solomon had said before, that "even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise," Pro 17:28 and in many passages of this blessed book he sets fort... [ Continue Reading ]
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? Ver. 14. _The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity._] Some sorry shift a man may make to bustle with, and to rub through other ailments and aggrievances, disasters or diseases, sores or sicknesses of the body -... [ Continue Reading ]
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. Ver. 15. _The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge._] Such as can keep the bird singing in their bosom, and are free from inward perturbations, these by meditating on the good word of God, and by listening to t... [ Continue Reading ]
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Ver. 16. A man's gift maketh room for him.] This Jacob Gen 43:11 knew well, and therefore bade his sons take a present for the governor of the land, though it were but of every good thing a little. So Saul, 1Sa 9:7 when to go to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 18:17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Ver. 17. _He that is first in his own cause seemeth just._] The first tale is good till the second be heard. How fair a tale told Tertullus for the Jews against Paul, till the apostle came... [ Continue Reading ]
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. Ver. 18. _The lot causeth contentions to cease._] As it did in Joshua 14:2, where it is remarkable, that Joshua, that lotted out the land, left none to himself; and that portion that was given him, and he content with it, was but... [ Continue Reading ]
A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. Ver. 19. _A brother offended is harder to be won, &c._] Whether it be a brother by race, place, or grace; _Corruptio optimi pessima:_ those oft that loved most dearly, if once the d... [ Continue Reading ]
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Ver. 20. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth.] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 12:14 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 13:2 _"_ And with the increase of his lips shall he be s... [ Continue Reading ]
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Ver. 21. _Death and life are in the power of the tongue._] That best and worst member of the body, as Bias told Amasis, king of Egypt; _a_ an "unruly evil set on fire of hell," saith St James of an i... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Proverbs 18:22 _[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD._ Ver. 22. _Whoso findeth a wife, &c._] Whoso, after much seeking, by prayer to God, and his own utmost industry - as Gen 24:1-9 Isaac went forth to pray, and his servant went forth to seek - findeth... [ Continue Reading ]
_The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly._ Ver. 23. _The poor useth entreaties._] Speaks supplications; comes in a submissive manner; uses a low language, as a broken man. How much more should we do so to God? _Quanta cum reverentia, quanto timore, quanta ad Deum humilitate aecede... [ Continue Reading ]
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother. Ver. 24. _A man that hath friends, &c._] For _Cos amoris amor,_ Love is the whetstone, or loadstone rather, of love. _Marce, ut ameris, ama._ _a_ Love is a coin that must be returned i... [ Continue Reading ]