Proverbs 11 - Introduction
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A false balance_ The use of all false weights and measures in commerce; _is abomination to the Lord_ Highly abominable to him, both because this wickedness is practised under a colour of justice, and because it is destructive of human society, and especially of the poor, whose patron the Lord decla... [ Continue Reading ]
_When pride cometh, then cometh shame_ Pride, as it is the effect of folly, so it bringeth a man to contempt and destruction, such persons being under the displeasure of God, and disliked by all men. _But with the lowly is wisdom_ Whereby they are kept from those foolish and wicked actions which exp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Riches profit not in the day of wrath_ In the time of God's judgments, when he is executing vengeance upon sinners; _but righteousness delivereth_, &c. See note on Proverbs 10:2. _The righteousness of the perfect shall direct_, &c. Shall bring all his designs and endeavours to a happy issue, and de... [ Continue Reading ]
_When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish_ All his hope and felicity, which he placed wholly in earthly things, are lost and gone with him; _and the hope of unjust men_, &c. This clause, according to this translation, is a mere repetition of the former: but the word אונים, here rendered... [ Continue Reading ]
_A hypocrite with his mouth_ By his corrupt communication; _destroyeth his neighbour_ Draws him into error or sin; _but through knowledge_ Namely, of God and of his word, which, making men wise, discovers and so prevents the frauds of deceivers; _shall the just be delivered_ From the infection of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_When it goeth well with the righteous_ When righteous men are encouraged and advanced to places of trust and power; _the city rejoiceth_ The citizens, or subjects, of that government, rejoice, because they confidently expect justice and tranquillity, and many other benefits, by their administration... [ Continue Reading ]
_By the blessing of the upright_ Namely, by their sincere prayers, and wise, wholesome counsels, wherewith they bless their country; _the city is exalted_ In dignity, power, and all kinds of prosperity; _but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked_ By their curses, oaths, blasphemies, and wicked... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is void of wisdom_ Of knowledge, prudence, and grace; _despiseth his neighbour_ Which he shows by contemptuous or reproachful expressions; _but a man of understanding holdeth his peace_ Forbears all such expressions, and silently and patiently bears all these reproaches. It is a great weakn... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where no counsel is, the people fall_ “Where prudent counsellors are wanting a nation goes to wreck, as certainly as a ship doth without a pilot; but a country is safe when there are many wise men to govern affairs; that if one fail, there may enough still remain; or what one or two see not, others... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is surety for a stranger_, &c. “He is in great danger to be undone, who stands bound to pay the debts of another man, especially of a stranger, whose ability and honesty are unknown to him; and the way to be secure from it, is not only to avoid such engagements one's self, but to dislike to... [ Continue Reading ]
_A gracious woman_ Hebrew, אשׁת חן, _a woman of grace;_ one endued with the saving grace of God, and who, by humility, meekness, modesty, prudence, and other virtues, renders herself acceptable and amiable to God and men; _retaineth honour_ Holdeth fast her honour, or good reputation, with no less c... [ Continue Reading ]
_The merciful man_ Who is compassionate toward persons in distress, bountiful to such as are in want, and kind to all; _doth good to his own soul_ That is, to himself, because his mercy and liberality shall turn to his own infinite advantage, both in this life and the next. _But he that is cruel_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked worketh a deceitful work_ A work which will deceive his expectation of that good for which he works. _But to him that soweth righteousness_ That worketh righteousness with constancy, diligence, and hope of a recompense, resembling the labour and hope of those who sow in seed-time; _shall... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that are of a froward heart_ &c. They are odious to God, who study to compass their end by wicked means; but they whose exact observance of the rules of righteousness, in the whole course of their lives, testifies the integrity of their hearts, are highly in his favour and love. _Though hand j... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout_ Which would not adorn the swine, but only be disparaged itself; _so is a fair woman without discretion_ Who disgraceth the beauty of her body by a foolish and filthy mind. There seems to be an allusion in these words to a custom prevalent in the East, of weari... [ Continue Reading ]
_The desire of the righteous is only good_ “The righteous desire nothing, but that it may be well with all men; but the wicked wish for trouble and disturbance to all others but themselves, that they may execute their malice and wrath upon those whom they hate.” Bishop Patrick. Or, rather, the meani... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is that scattereth_ That giveth liberally of his goods to the poor; for so the word פזר, here used, signifies, Psalms 112:9; _and yet increaseth_ Through God's secret blessing on his estate; _and there is that withholdeth more than is meet_ Hebrew, מישׁר, _than what is right_, or _just_, that... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that withholdeth corn_ In a time of scarcity, when others need and desire it; _the people shall curse him_ He shall fall into the popular hatred, and be loaded with many curses; _but blessing_ Namely, the blessing of God, which the people shall earnestly ask for him; _shall be upon the head of h... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that diligently seeketh good_ To do good to all men, as he hath opportunity; which is opposed to a man's contenting himself with lazy desires, or cold and careless endeavours; _procureth favour_ With God and men; _but he that seeketh mischief_ To do any mischief or injury to others; _it shall co... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that troubleth his own house_ He who brings trouble upon himself and children; either, 1st, By carelessness, sloth, improvidence, prodigality, or any wickedness, whereby he consumes his estate: or, 2d, By covetous desires, and restless endeavours to heap up riches, whereby he greatly harasses an... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fruit of the righteous_ Which he produceth; namely, his piety and charity, his instructions, reproofs, exhortations, and prayers; his interest in heaven, and his influence on earth, are _a tree of life_ That is, like the fruit of that tree, precious and useful, contributing to the support and i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed_ That is, chastised, or punished for his sins; which the next clause shows to be Solomon's meaning here; _in the earth_ Whereby he intimates, that all the righteous man's sufferings are confined to this world, which is an unspeakable felicity; _much more t... [ Continue Reading ]