CHAPTER XVIII _The man who separates himself and seeks wisdom. The fool and_ _the wicked man. Deep wisdom. Contention of fools. The_ _talebearer and the slothful. The name of the Lord. Pride and_ _presumption because of riches. Hastiness of spirit. The wounded_ _spirit. The influence of gifts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:2. _BUT THAT HIS HEART MAY DISCOVER ITSELF._] It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own _nonsense_ and _emptiness_. But this verse may be understood as confirming the view already given of the preceding, and may be trans... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:3. _WHEN THE WICKED COMETH, C._] would it not be better to read this verse thus? "When the wicked cometh contempt cometh and with ignominy _cometh_ reproach." A wicked man is despised even by the wicked. He who falls under ignominy falls under _reproach_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:4. _THE WORDS OF A MAN'S MOUTH_] That is, the wise sayings of a wise man are like _deep waters_; howsoever much you pump or draw off, you do not appear to lessen them. _THE WELL-SPRING OF WISDOM_] Where there is a _sound understanding_, and a deep, well-informed mind, its wisdom... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:5. _TO ACCEPT THE PERSON OF THE WICKED_] We must not, in judicial cases, pay any attention to a man's _riches, influence,_ _friends, offices_, c., but judge the case according to its own merits. But when the _wicked_ rich man opposes and oppresses the poor _righteous_, then all tho... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:8. _THE WORDS OF A TALE-BEARER_] דברי נרגן _dibrey nirgan_, "the words of the whisperer," the _busy-body_, the _busy, meddling_ _croaker_. _Verba bilinguis_, "the words of the double-tongued." - _Vulgate_. _The wordes of the twisel tunge_. - Old MS. Bible. "The words of a slanderer... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:9. _HE ALSO THAT IS SLOTHFUL_] A _slothful_ man neglects his _work_, and the _materials_ go to ruin: the _waster_, he destroys the _materials_. They are both destroyers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:10. _THE NAME OF THE LORD_ IS _A STRONG TOWER_] The _name of_ _the Lord_ may be taken for the _Lord himself_; he is a _strong tower_, a _refuge_, and _place of complete safety_, to all that trust in him. What a strong fortress is to the besieged, the like is God to his persecuted,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:11. _THE RICH MAN'S WEALTH_] See Proverbs 10:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:12. _BEFORE DESTRUCTION_] See on Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:13. _HE THAT ANSWERETH A MATTER_] This is a common case; before a man can tell out his story, another will begin _his_. Before a man has made his _response_, the other wishes to confute _piecemeal_, though he has had his own speech already. This is foolishness to them. They are ill... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:14. _THE SPIRIT OF A MAN WILL SUSTAIN_] A man sustains the ills of his body, and the trials of life, by the strength and energy of his mind. But if the _mind_ be _wounded_, if this be _cast_ _down_, if slow-consuming care and grief have shot the dagger into the soul, what can then... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:16. _A MAN'S GIFT MAKETH ROOM FOR HIM_] It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favour, no _justice_. This arose from the circumstan... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:17. HE THAT IS _FIRST IN HIS OWN CAUSE_] Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:18. _THE LOT CAUSETH CONTENTIONS TO CEASE_] Proverbs 16:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:19. _A BROTHER OFFENDED_ IS HARDER TO BE WON _THAN A STRONG_ _CITY_] Almost all the _versions_ agree in the following reading: "A brother assisted by a brother, is like a fortified city; and their decisions are like the bars of a city." _Coverdale_ is both plain and terse: "The un... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:20. _WITH THE FRUIT OF HIS MOUTH_] Our own words frequently shape our good or evil fortune in life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:21. _DEATH AND LIFE_ ARE _IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE_] This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to _public pleaders_; on many of their tongues hangs _life_ or _death_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:22. WHOSO _FINDETH A WIFE FINDETH A GOOD_ THING] _Marriage_, with all its troubles and embarrassments, is a blessing from God; and there are _few cases_ where a _wife of any sort_ is not better than none, because celibacy is an evil; for God himself hath said, "It is not good for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 18:24. _A MAN_ THAT HATH _FRIENDS MUST SHOW HIMSELF FRIENDLY_] Love begets love; and love requires love as its recompense. If a man do not maintain a friendly carriage, he cannot expect to retain his friends. Friendship is a good plant; but it requires cultivation to make it grow. Th... [ Continue Reading ]