Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Ver. 1. _Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity._] That poor but honest man, that speaks supplications, Pro 18:23 but abuseth not his lips to lewd and loose language, is better than... [ Continue Reading ]
Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth. Ver. 2. _Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good._] An ignorant man is a naughty man. _Ignorat sane improbus omnis,_ saith Aristotle, _a_ Every bad minded man is in the dark... [ Continue Reading ]
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Ver. 3. _The foolishness of a man perverteth his way._] So that all goes cross with him, and God "walks contrary to him," Lev 26:21 as it befell our King John, Queen Mary, and Henry IV of France. King John saw and a... [ Continue Reading ]
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. Ver. 4. _Wealth maketh many friends._] _Res amicos invenit,_ saith he in Plautus. Wine, saith Athenaeus, hath ελκοστικον τι προς φιλιαν, a force in it to make friendship. Wealth we are sure hath; but as that is no sound love... [ Continue Reading ]
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape. Ver. 5. _A false witness shall not be unpunished._] Many poor people care not to lend their rich friend an oath at a need; and many rich, though they think ill of pillory perjury, yet they make little conscience... [ Continue Reading ]
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts. Ver. 6. _Many will entreat the favour of the prince._] Yea, lie at his feet, and lick up his spittle, not being loyal in love for conscience, but submissive in show for commodity. Every man will be thr... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth [them with] words, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him]._ Ver. 7. _All the brethren of the poor do hate him._] How much more then his hired friends? These are like crows to a dead carcase, which if the... [ Continue Reading ]
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. Ver. 8. _He that getteth wisdom._] Heb., He that getteth, or possesseth a heart; for we are born brutes, and are compared to "the horse and mule that have no understanding." Psa 32:9 Hearts we have all, but o... [ Continue Reading ]
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish. Ver. 9. _A false witness, &c._] See Proverbs 19:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. Ver. 10. _Delight is not seemly for a fool._] _Dignitas in indigno est ornamentum in luto,_ saith Salvian. Health, wealth, nobility, beauty, honour, and the like, are ill bestowed upon a wicked man, who will abuse... [ Continue Reading ]
_The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression._ Ver. 11. _The discretion of a man deferreth his anger._] Plato, when angry with his servant, would not correct him at that time, but let him go with _Vapulares nisi irascerer,_ I am too angry to beat... [ Continue Reading ]
The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass. Ver. 12. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion.] Heb., Of a young lion, which, being in his prime, roars more terribly; sets up his roar with such a force that he amazeth the other creatures whom he hu... [ Continue Reading ]
A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping. Ver. 13. _A foolish son is the calamity of his father._] Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts. Let them prove never so towardly, yet there is somewhat to do to breed them up, and b... [ Continue Reading ]
House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD. Ver. 14. _House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers._] Viz., More immediately. God gives them to the parents, and they leave them to their children, being moved thereto by God. Though a carnal heart... [ Continue Reading ]
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Ver. 15. _Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep._] Sloth bringeth sleep, and sleep poverty. See this excellently set forth. Proverbs 6:9,11 _; _ Pro 10:4 _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:9 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:10 _"_ _See Tr... [ Continue Reading ]
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die. Ver. 16. _He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul._] This is the first fruit of shaking off sloth and sleepiness. He that "stirs up himself to take hold of God," Isa 64:7 and to "take hold... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again._ Ver. 17. _He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth, &c._] This is a second fruit of shaking off sloth, and working with the hands the thing that is good, that one may have to give to him that... [ Continue Reading ]
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. Ver. 18. _Chasten thy son while there is hope._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 13:24 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again. Ver. 19. _A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment._] He that lays the reins on the neck, and sets no bounds to his wrath, whether in chastising his child, or otherwise, shall be sure to smart fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Ver. 20. _Hear counsel, and receive instruction._] Or, Correction. Here he directs his speech to the younger sort, and exhorts them. (1.) To hear counsel, that is, to keep the commandment, as Proverbs 19:16 : (2.) To... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 19:21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Ver. 21. There are many devices in a man's heart.] They may purpose, but God alone disposeth of all. _See Trapp on "_ Pro 16:1 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 16:9 _"_ Some think to rise by il... [ Continue Reading ]
_The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is] better than a liar._ Ver. 22. _The desire of a man is his kindness._] Or, His mercy. Many have a great mind to be held merciful men, and vainly give out what they would do, if they had wherewith; and perhaps they speak as they think too. T... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. Ver. 23. _The fear of the Lord tendeth to life, &c._] Life, saturity, _a_ and security from evil (from the hurt, if not from the smart of it) are all assured here to those that fe... [ Continue Reading ]
A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Ver. 24. _A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom._] The Latins say, He wraps it in his cloak; _Manum habet sub pallio,_ He puts it in his pocket, say we. Erewhiles we had him fast asleep; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge. Ver. 25. _Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware._] _Alterius perditio, tua fit cautio,_ saith the wise man. Seest thou another man shipwrecked? look well to thy tackling.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. Ver. 26. _He that wasteth his father._] That spoileth, pilfereth, pillageth, preyeth upon his father; not so much as saying with that scapethrift in the gospel, "Give me the portion... [ Continue Reading ]
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge. Ver. 27. _Cease, my son, to hear the instruction._] "Beware of false prophets." Mat 7:15 _See Trapp on "_ Mat 7:15 _"_ Take heed also what books ye read; for as water relisheth of the soil it runs through, so... [ Continue Reading ]
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. Ver. 28. _An ungodly witness scorneth judgment._] As if he were out of the reach of God's rod. And because "judgment is not presently executed, therefore his heart is set in him to do wickedly," Ecc 8:11 Psa 50:21... [ Continue Reading ]
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. Ver. 29. _Judgments are prepared for scorners._] For these scorners (that promise themselves impunity) are judgments, not one, but many, not appointed only, but prepared long since, and now ready to be executed.... [ Continue Reading ]