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Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Proverbs 29:12

Verse Proverbs 29:12. If a ruler hearken to lies] Wherever the system of espionage is permitted to prevail, there the system of falsity is established; for he who is capable of being a spy and informer, is not only capable of telling and swearing lies, but also of cutting his king's or even his father's throat. I have seen cases, where the same spy received pay from both parties, and deceived both.

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See also Proverbs 29:12 in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    ALL HIS SERVANTS ARE WICKED - They know what will please, and they become informers and backbiters....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous Chapter s. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb s...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    PROVERBS 29:2. _cf._ Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12. Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presen

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Comp. "As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers; And as is the ruler of the city, _such are_all they that dwell therein." Sir 10:2....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES— In conformity to this aphorism, Tacitus says of Claudius, "There is no safety with that prince into whose mind all things are conveyed, as it were, by infusion and directio...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    TEXT Proverbs 29:10-18 10. The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect: And as for the upright, they seek his life. 11. A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth i...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES, ALL HIS SERVANTS (ARE) WICKED - for they are sure to imitate him. As is the master, so will be his men. Rulers do...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    They argue that truth does not pay....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    KINGS AND FATHERS 3. Cp. the prodigal son (Luke 15)....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 29 V1 A man might refuse to change his behaviour, even if many people try to correct him. A terrible trouble will suddenly ruin that man’s lif...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    A ruler needs good advisers who speak the truth. The ruler should not prefer officials who lie. If he does, then the whole government will be evil....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES, ALL HIS SERVANTS ARE WICKED. — If a ruler shows that he likes adulation and falsehood rather than unpleasant truths, his attendants will provide him with what he wishes. (C...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    מֹ֭שֵׁל מַקְשִׁ֣יב עַל ־דְּבַר ־שָׁ֑קֶר כָּֽל...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 30 THE NEED OF REVELATION "Where no vision is, a people casts off restraint, but he that keepeth the law is happy."- Proverbs 29:18 THE form of the proverb shows that we are not to treat the...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Verse Proverbs 29:2. The sentiment of this proverb often recurs. On the surface it hardly appears to be true. To observe long issues is to be convinced of the absolute accuracy of the sentiment. Vers...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the cause of...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 10 THROUGH 31. In chapter 10 begin the details which teach those who give ear how to avoid the snares into which the simple might fall, the path to be followe...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES,.... To men that tell them in order to soothe and flatter him, or to hurt the character and reputation of others, that they may raise their own: rulers should not listen to...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked. Ver. 12. _If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked._] He shall have his _Aiones_ and _Negones,_ that will say as he says, and...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _A fool uttereth all his mind_ All at once, unnecessarily, unseasonably, without reservation or caution; _but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward_ Till he have a fit occasion to express it. _If a...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    If a ruler hearken to lies, permitting his judgment to be swayed by lying flattery and exaggerated misrepresentations, ALL HIS SERVANTS ARE WICKED, for since their master does not heed the truth, they...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    DESCRIPTION OF STUBBORNNESS AND DISOBEDIENCE...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    This FIFTH SECTION now has similarities to the fourth, but carries us further, for if the fourth stresses mainly the testing of ways and walk. This dwells more upon results, that is the recompenses of...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    IF A RULER HEARKEN TO LIES, delight in flatteries or calumnies, or any lying words or deceitful and wicked practices, ALL HIS SERVANTS ARE WICKED; partly because he chooseth only such for his service;...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Proverbs 29:12 ruler H4910 (H8802) attention H7181 (H8688) lies H1697 H8267 servants H8334 (H8764) wicked...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Warnings and instructions. CHARACTERS: God. CONCLUSION: Those who never regard the Word of God are an easy prey to the enemy of souls. A confidence in God and His Word enables one to look...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Proverbs 29:1. _He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck._ The Greeks have a similar proverb. Οι πολλα πταιοντες και μη κολαζομενοι φοβεισθαι και δεδοικεναι οφειλουοιν. Αυξεται γαρ αυτοις τα τ...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 29:12 A king’s administration will fall apart if he follows advice from corrupt counselors (v. Proverbs 29:12), but it will thrive if he is just to all, even the we

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 29:13. THE DECEITFUL. Rather “_the usurer.” A man of usury is only a more concrete expression for a rich man, and this is the corresponding term_ in chap. Proverbs 22:2 (Zöc...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION This chapter reinforces many precept given previously. PROVERBS 29:1 HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK; literally, _a man of reproofs—_one_ _who has had a long experience of...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Proverbs 29:1). That is a heavy, heavy proverb. The person that is often reproved by God. How ma...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Kings 21:11; 1 Samuel 22:8; 1 Samuel 23:19; 2 Kings 10:6;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS Proverbs 29:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The time when God shall say "it is enough." Our verse, as a whole, reads thus: "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall su...

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