XVIII. (1) THROUGH DESIRE A MAN, HAVING SEPARATED HIMSELF... — This should probably be rendered, _The separatist seeketh after his own desire, against all improvement he shows his teeth._ The man of small mind is here described, who will only follow his own narrow aims, who holds himself aloof from... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT HIS HEART MAY DISCOVER ITSELF — _i.e.,_ unless his cleverness can be displayed thereby; he does not prize understanding for itself, apart from his own interests.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE WICKED COMETH, THEN COMETH ALSO CONTEMPT. — Comp. the whole burden of Psalms 106, that sorrow and shame follow sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF A MAN’S MOUTH ARE AS DEEP WATERS... — _i.e.,_ the words of a “man,” properly so called, are as deep waters which cannot be easily fathomed; they are a copious stream, which flows from a never failing source; they are a fountain of wisdom which is never exhausted.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS MOUTH CALLETH FOR STROKES, which he provokes by his insolence and quarrelsomeness.... [ Continue Reading ]
A FOOL’S MOUTH IS HIS DESTRUCTION. — See above on Proverbs 12:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF A TALEBEARER ARE AS WOUNDS. — Or, more probably, “as dainty morsels” that are eagerly swallowed, and _“go_ down into the innermost parts of the belly,” _i.e.,_ are treasured up in the deepest recesses of the heart, to be remembered and brought out again when an opportunity for employing... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ALSO THAT IS SLOTHFUL IN HIS WORK. — Whatsoever it may be that is committed to his care, is “brother to him that is a great waster,” or “destroyer “; neglect of duty causes almost as much mischief in life as active wickedness.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER. — The “name of the Lord” signifies the titles by which He has made Himself known, descriptive of His attributes, as “merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth,” &c. (Exodus 34:5; Exodus 34:7); the righteous takes refuge in these, and fi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT ANSWERETH A MATTER BEFORE HE HEARETH IT... — Comp. Sir. 11:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF A MAN. — That is, one properly so called, who draws his strength from God, will “sustain his infirmity,” help him to bear up against trouble; “but a wounded spirit” (not one crushed with the sense of sin, for that God will lift up, Isaiah 66:2; Psalms 51:17), which retires into itself... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN’S GIFT. — Judicious liberality “maketh room for him,” helps him to make his way through life. (Comp. Luke 16:9, and the advice there given so to use temporal riches as to gain those of heaven.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS FIRST IN HIS OWN CAUSE SEEMETH JUST. — A man who tells his own story can make a good case for himself out of it, “but his neighbour” (_i.e.,_ his adversary in the suit) “cometh and searcheth him,” sifts his statements, and shows them to be untenable.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOT CAUSETH CONTENTIONS TO CEASE, as being the judgment of God (Proverbs 16:33). AND PARTETH BETWEEN THE MIGHTY, who would otherwise settle their differences by blows.... [ Continue Reading ]
A BROTHER OFFENDED. — Or rather, _wronged._ THEIR CONTENTIONS. — Of such as have once been friends, “are like the bars of a castle,” or palace, forming an almost impassable barrier to reconciliation. The bitterness of quarrels between friends is proverbial.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN’S BELLY SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH THE FRUIT OF HIS MOUTH. — See above on Proverbs 12:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE. — See above on Proverbs 4:23, where much the same power is attributed to the heart as is here given to the tongue as being its exponent. (Comp. also Proverbs 12:13.) THEY THAT LOVE IT — I.E., to use it.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO FINDETH A WIFE... — One who deserves the name of wife, as the one described in Proverbs 31:10, _sqq. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RICH ANSWERETH ROUGHLY. — A warning against the hardening effect of riches. (Comp. Mark 10:23.)... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN THAT HATH FRIENDS MUST SHEW HIMSELF FRIENDLY. — Rather, _a man of many friends will suffer loss,_ for he will impoverish himself by constant hospitality, and in trouble they will desert him (Psalms 41:9); but “there is a friend,” one in a thousand, “that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Comp.... [ Continue Reading ]