A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Ver. 1. _A soft answer turneth away wrath._] It is easier to stir strife than to stint it. Hard to hard, will never do; but lay a flint upon a pillow, and you may break it with ease. “Frangitur ira gravis quando est responsio suav... [ Continue Reading ]
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Ver. 2. _The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright._] Heb., Deals kindly with her; offers her no abuse, by venting her unseasonably, and making her overly cheap, and little set by. Eloquence wisely or... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good._ Ver. 3. _The eyes of the Lord are in every place._] He is πανοφθαλμος, all-eye: and his providence like a well drawn picture, that vieweth all that come into the room. I know thy works, and thy labour; Rev 2:2 not thy wor... [ Continue Reading ]
_A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit._ Ver. 4. _A wholesome tongue is a tree of life._] As uttering words that have a healing property in them, pure, precious, and profitable; not unlike that tree of life in the midst of God's garden, that wo... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. Ver. 5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction.] Heb., Entertains it with contumelious and opprobrious language; as a madman doth a potion offered him for his health. Jerome oft renders the word, "to blaspheme";... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble._ Ver. 6. _In the house of the righteous is much treasure._] Every righteous man is a rich man, whether he hath more or less of the things of this life. For, _first_, he hath plenty of that which is prec... [ Continue Reading ]
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so. Ver. 7. _The lips of the wise disperse knowledge._] They are the "lights of the world," φωστηρες, Php 2:15 and they diffuse light wherever they come, shining as lamps or luminaries, and seeking to save themselves,... [ Continue Reading ]
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight. Ver. 8. _The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination._] Their very incense stinks from the hand that offers it. Isa 1:13 Good words may be uttered, but we cannot hear them, because uttered... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Ver. 9. _The way of the wicked is abomination._] Not his sacrifices only, but his civilities; all his actions - natural, moral, recreative, religious - are offensive to all God's senses, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die. Ver. 10. _Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way._] He pleaseth himself in his outstrays, and would not be reduced; he is in love with his own ruin, and takes long strides towards hell,... [ Continue Reading ]
Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? Ver. 11. _Hell and destruction are before the Lord._] "Tophet is prepared of old"; and wherever it is, as it skills not curiously to inquire, - below us it seems to be, Rev 14:11 _et ubi sit sentient q... [ Continue Reading ]
_A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise._ Ver. 12. _A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him._] Nay, he "hateth those that reprove him in the gate," Amo 5:10 as Ahab did Micaiah; Herodias, John Baptist; the Pharisees, our Saviour. Bishop Ridley, lamenting,... [ Continue Reading ]
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Ver. 13. _A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance._] It sits smiling in the face, and looks merrily out of the windows of the eyes. This is not till faith have healed the conscience, and till grace have... [ Continue Reading ]
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. Ver. 14. _The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge._] As a hungry man seeks meat, or a covetous man gold, the more he hath, the more he desires. Moses was no sooner off the m... [ Continue Reading ]
All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast. Ver. 15. _All the days of the afflicted are evil._] The guilt of sin puts a sting into afflictions, and makes them very grievous. _Nihil est miserius quam animus hominis conscius,_ _a_ said the heath... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Ver. 16. _Better is a little with the fear of the Lord._] This is one special consideration that keeps up the good heart in continual comfort. Contented godliness is great riches; _Misera est magni custodia cens... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Ver. 17. _Better is a dinner of herbs where love is._] _Mensa consecrata est amicitiae,_ saith one. The table is dedicated to friendship, and an absurd thing it is there to raise quarrels, or to revenge wrongs, as... [ Continue Reading ]
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife. Ver. 18. _A wrathful man stirreth up strife._] _Miscet lites,_ he mingleth strife with his meat, and feeds upon chafing dishes. Such troublesome guests Augustine forbade his table by these two verses written round a... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain. Ver. 19. _The way of a slothful man is as a hedge of thorns._] Perplexed and letsome, so that he gets no ground, makes no riddance; he goes as if he were shackled when he is to go upon any good cou... [ Continue Reading ]
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Ver. 20. _A wise son maketh a glad father._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Ver. 21. _Folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:23 _"_ But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.] And he doth it with delight, as the opposition implie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established._ Ver. 22. _Without counsel purposes are disappointed._] The word here rendered "counsel" signifies ‘secret,' because counsel should be kept secret; which to signify, the old Romans, as Servius test... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!_ Ver. 23. _A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth._] It reflects comfort upon a man when he hath spoken discreetly to the benefit and good content of others. Some degree of comfort follows every good... [ Continue Reading ]
_The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath._ Ver. 24. _The way of life is above to the wise._] He goes a higher way than his neighbour, even in his common businesses, because they are done in faith and obedience. He hath his feet where other men's heads are, and,... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Ver. 25. _The Lord will destroy the house of the proud._] Where he thinks himself most safe, God will pull him, as it were, by the ears out of his tabernacle. He will surely unroost him, unnest him, yea, th... [ Continue Reading ]
The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words. Ver. 26. _The thoughts of the wicked are abomination._] Let him not think to think at liberty. Thought is not free, as some fools would have it. To such God saith, "Hearken, O earth; behol... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. Ver. 27. _He that is greedy of gain, troubleth his own house._] Fires his own nest while he thinks to feather it; fingers that which will burn in his purse, will prove _lucrum in arca, damnum in conscientia,_ _a... [ Continue Reading ]
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Ver. 28. _The heart of the righteous studieth to answer._] His tongue runs not before his wit, but he weighs his words before he utters them (as carrying a pair of balance between his lips), and dips... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Ver. 29. _The Lord is far from the wicked._] He was so from the proud Pharisee, who yet got as near God as he could, pressing up to the highest part of the temple. The poor publican, not daring to do so, stood aloof off;... [ Continue Reading ]
_The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat._ Ver. 30. _The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart._] Light and sight are very comfortable. He was a mad fool that being warned of wine by the physicians as hurtful to his eyes, cried out, _Vale lumen amicum; _... [ Continue Reading ]
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. Ver. 31. _The ear that heareth the reproof of llfe._] That is, lively and life giving reproofs. _Veritas aspera est, verum amaritudo eius utilior et integris sensibus gratior quam meritricantis linguae distillans favus; _ _a_ - Truth... [ Continue Reading ]
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Ver. 32. _He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul._] Is a sinner against his own soul, as Korah and his complices were, and sets as light by it as if it were not worth looking after.... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility. Ver. 33. _The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 1:7 _"_ And before honour is humility.] David came not to the kingdom till he could truly say, "Lord, my heart is not haughty, n... [ Continue Reading ]