XII. (1) WHOSO LOVETH INSTRUCTION LOVETH KNOWLEDGE. — Rather, _he that loveth knowledge loveth discipline, i.e.,_ to put himself in the place of a learner; while “he that hateth reproof,” who will not take advice, is “brutish,” “nourishing a blind life within the brain,” like the animals who are in... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD MAN. — The corresponding phrase, “a man of wicked devices,” _i.e.,_ who plots against his neighbour, fixes the sense of “good” as signifying “benevolent” (comp. Psalms 73:1); and for the sentiment, Luke 6:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN. — Literally, _of power, i.e.,_ of ability and character, like the wife described in Proverbs 31, or the “able” men of Exodus 18:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THOUGHTS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE RIGHT. — Or, _justice._ (Comp. Matthew 12:35.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF THE WICKED ARE TO LIE IN WAIT FOR BLOOD — _i.e.,_ are calculated for this end. THE MOUTH OF THE UPRIGHT SHALL DELIVER THEM — _i.e.,_ those for whom the wicked lie in wait.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED ARE OVERTHROWN. — By the righteous judgments of God (Psalms 37:35), or by the storms of temptation and trouble, which, when they come, overwhelm the house built on the sand of earthly hopes, and not on the “Rock of ages.” (Isaiah 26:4; Matthew 7:24, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO HIS WISDOM — _i.e.,_ intelligent observance of the ends to be pursued in life, and the best means of attaining to them; in other words, finding out the will of God and how to fulfil it. SHALL BE DESPISED. — Comp. 1 Samuel 2:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS DESPISED. — That is, lowly in his eyes and those of others, as David (1 Samuel 18:23); if “he hath a servant,” that is, if he be in easy circumstances. It has been remarked that “the first necessity of an Oriental in only moderate circumstances is a slave.” HE THAT HONOURETH HIMSELF. — B... [ Continue Reading ]
REGARDETH THE LIFE OF HIS BEAST. — Rather, _knows their feelings_ (comp. Exodus 23:9), and so can feel for them. God’s own care for the brute creation (Jonah 4:11) was shown in the merciful provisions of the Law, by which cattle shared the rest of the Sabbath, and had their portion of the corn as it... [ Continue Reading ]
VAIN PERSONS. — Or, _things,_ such as “searching for hid treasures” (Proverbs 2:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED DESIRETH THE NET OF EVIL MEN — _i.e.,_ to enrich himself by prey as they do; but the “root of the righteous yieldeth fruit,” by their own exertion they gain all they require without injuring others.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED IS CURSED BY THE TRANSGRESSION OF HIS LIPS. — For his words, the product of his evil heart, while designed to injure others, often bring the offender himself into trouble (Psalms 7:16), and moreover, as being the true index of the inner life of the soul, are being stored up as a witness a... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH GOOD BY THE FRUIT OF HIS MOUTH... — Even in this life the wise counsels and kindly deeds by which others are aided, the “bread cast upon the waters” (Ecclesiastes 11:1), return to the giver in the shape of love and respect, and. _it_ may be, of similar aid; while the fu... [ Continue Reading ]
A FOOL’S WRATH IS PRESENTLY KNOWN. — He cannot contain himself if he thinks himself slighted or injured; the “prudent man,” on the other hand, “covereth shame,” not noticing an insult at the time, but waiting for a convenient opportunity of telling the offender of his fault and bringing him to a bet... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH. — Rather, _that babbleth,_ like the piercing of a sword, that chatters on, not noticing or caring how he may wound the feelings of others by his inconsiderate remarks. THE TONGUE OF THE WISE IS HEALTH. — Or, _healing;_ soothing the wounds made by the other’s indiscriminate c... [ Continue Reading ]
A LYING TONGUE IS BUT FOR A MOMENT. — Being detected and silenced by the providence of God, (Comp. Psalms 64:7.)... [ Continue Reading ]
DECEIT IS IN THE HEART... — Those who plot and devise evil against others begin by deceiving them, and end by deceiving themselves also; whereas the “counsellors of peace,” who seek the good of their neighbours, bring joy to them and to themselves also through the satisfaction derived from a good co... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SHALL NO EVIL HAPPEN TO THE JUST. — Comp. our Lord’s promise as to temporal matters for those who “seek the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). and for God’s care in spiritual matters, 1 Corinthians 10:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
A PRUDENT MAN CONCEALETH KNOWLEDGE. — Till the right opportunity for bringing it forth presents itself; while “the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness,” cannot help blurting out and displaying its ignorance and folly, which it mistakes for wisdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER TRIBUTE. — Like the descendants of the Amorites and other former inhabitants of Canaan, by whose forced labour Solomon executed his great works (1 Kings 9:20). A Hebrew from poverty might be reduced to slavery (Lev. xxv, 39),... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAVINESS IN THE HEART OF MAN MAKETH IT STOOP. — But, as this is not favourable to the spiritual life, we have warnings against excessive anxiety (Matthew 6:34), and exhortations to cast all our care upon God (1 Peter 5:7; Psalms 37:5) as a religious duty, that trusting in Him, and so having from Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIGHTEOUS IS MORE EXCELLENT THAN HIS NEIGHBOUR. — Though, perhaps, inferior to him in worldly advantages. Or, it may signify, the just man is a guide to his neighbour, showing him “the way wherein he should walk;” the wicked, on the other hand, so far from guiding others, himself helplessly wand... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SLOTHFUL MAN ROASTETH NOT THAT WHICH HE TOOK IN HUNTING. — Or, _does not net,_ (_i.e.,_ secure) _his prey; but a valuable possession to a man is diligence. _... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIFE. — Comp. above on Proverbs 10:2, “Righteousness delivereth from death.”... [ Continue Reading ]