_A.M. 3304. B.C. 700._ Cautions against procrastination, or carnal security; against vain-glory, anger, wrath, and envy, Proverbs 27:1. A commendation of reproof, contentment, steadiness, friendship, and prudence, Proverbs 27:5. Sundry cautions and rules, Proverbs 27:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Boast not thyself of to-morrow_ Of any good thing which thou purposest to do, or hopest to receive to-morrow or hereafter; _for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth_ What may happen in the space of one day to hinder thy designs or expectations. _The day_ is said to _bring forth_ what God, by... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth_ Except it be really necessary, either for thy own just vindication, or for the honour of God, or for the edification of others, in which cases this hath been allowed and practised by wise and virtuous men, as particularly by St. Paul, 2 Corinthi... [ Continue Reading ]
_A stone is heavy, &c., but a fool's wrath is heavier_ More grievous and intolerable, as being without cause, without measure, and without end. “Fools and unskilful people,” says Melancthon, “are more apt to be angry than others, because they consider not the infirmity of mankind, and that there are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wrath is cruel_ And doth many barbarous things; _and anger is outrageous_ Often depriving a man of the proper use of his reason, and hurrying him into many mischiefs and miseries; _but who is able to stand before envy?_ Envy is worse than both of them, 1st, Because it is more unjust and unreasonabl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Open rebuke is better than secret love_ “He that takes an ingenuous liberty to tell others of their faults, and rebukes them freely, when need requires, to their face, is a better friend, a more valuable, though, perhaps, he may please less, than he who hath more of the passion of love in his heart... [ Continue Reading ]
_A full soul_ A man whose appetite, or desire, is fully satisfied; _loatheth a honey-comb_ The most delicious meats; _but to the hungry every bitter thing is sweet_ Hunger makes a man relish the most distasteful food, while full stomachs loathe the most delightful. The design of this proverb is to s... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a bird that wandereth from her nest_ That flies very much abroad from place to place, whereby she is exposed to all the arts of fowlers, and to birds of prey; _so is a man that wandereth from his place_ That, through vanity or lightness, changes the place of his abode or his calling; the ill eff... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart_, &c. “As balsam and fragrant perfumes marvellously refresh and comfort the natural spirits, when they droop and are tired; so doth the very presence of a true-hearted friend, and much more his faithful counsel, rejoice a man's soul; especially when he is at s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine own friend, and thy father's friend_ Of whose friendship thou hast had long experience; _forsake not_ But betake thyself to him, when thou art in distress, rather than to thy natural brother or kinsman, if he be not also thy friend. _For better is a neighbour_ That is, a friend, such as is me... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the former of these verses, see on Proverbs 22:3, and of the latter, on Proverbs 20:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that blesseth his friend_ That saluteth, praiseth, or applaudeth him to his face, as the manner of flatterers is; _with a loud voice _ That both he and others may be sure to take notice of it; _rising early in the morning_ To perform this office, to show his great forwardness and diligence, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_A continual dropping, &c., and a contentious woman are alike_ Are equally troublesome; the first not suffering a man to go abroad with comfort; the latter not permitting him to stay at home with quietness. _Whosoever hideth her_ That is, attempts to smother her passion, that it may not break forth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iron sharpeneth iron_ Iron tools are made sharp, and fit for use, by rubbing them against the file, or some other iron; _so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend_ Quickens his ingenuity, enlivens his affections, strengthens his judgment, excites him to virtuous and useful actions, and make... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso keepeth the fig-tree_ That is, looks after it, and preserves it from suffering by drought, by vermin, or by wild beasts, &c.; _shall eat the fruit thereof_ Shall partake of its pleasant fruit in due time; _so he that waiteth on his master_ That serves him faithfully, prudently, and diligently... [ Continue Reading ]
_As in water face answereth to face_ As the image of a man's face in the water answers to his natural face who looks into it; or, as in water one man's face is like another's, the difference of men's faces being not there visible; so one man resembles another not only in the regard of the corruption... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hell and destruction are never full_ The grave devours all the bodies which are put into it, and is always ready to receive and devour more and more without end; _so the eyes of man are never satisfied_ That is, his desires, which work and discover themselves by his eyes.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the fining-pot for silver_ Is appointed and used for the trial of silver, and the detection and separation of the dross from it; _so is a man to his praise_ Or, _according to his praise:_ that is, he is known by his praises; either, 1st, By the quality of those who praise and applaud him; and, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though thou shouldest bray_, &c. “The folly and wickedness of some men are so incurable, that though unto reproofs, and chidings, and threatenings, you should add stripes and blows, they would not grow a whit the wiser or better for it.” Not _natural_, but _moral_ and _wilful_ fools are here intend... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be diligent to know the state of thy flock_ That thou mayest preserve and improve what thou hast, and take care that thy expenses do not exceed thy income. Flocks and herds are here put for all riches and possessions, because anciently they were the chief part of a man's riches. _And look well_, &c... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hay appeareth, and the tender grass_ In their proper seasons. These and the following things are mentioned as further arguments and encouragements to persuade to diligence: God invites thee to it by the plentiful provisions wherewith he hath enriched the earth for thy sake. _And herbs of the mo... [ Continue Reading ]