CHAPTER XVII _Contentment. The wise servant. The Lord tries the heart._ _Children a crown to their parents. We should hide our_ _neighbour's faults. The poor should not be despised._ _Litigations and quarrels to be avoided. Wealth is useless to_ _a fool. The good friend. A fool may pass for a w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:3. _THE FINING POT_ IS _FOR SILVER_] When _silver_ is _mixed_, or suspected to be mixed, with _base metal_, it must be subjected to such a test as the _cupel_ to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the _fire_. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:4. _A WICKED DOER GIVETH HEED_] An evil heart is disposed and ever ready to receive evil; and liars delight in lies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:5. _HE THAT IS GLAD AT CALAMITY_] He who is pleased to hear of the misfortune of another will, in the course of God's just government, have his own multiplied.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:7. _EXCELLENT SPEECH BECOMETH NOT A FOOL_] This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often _fine words_ are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:8. _A GIFT_ IS AS _A PRECIOUS STONE_] It both enriches and ornaments. In the latter clause there is an evident allusion to _cut stones_. Whithersoever you _turn them_, they _reflect the light_, are _brilliant_ and _beautiful_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:10. _A REPROOF ENTERETH MORE_] Though the rod, judiciously applied, is a _great instrument of knowledge_, yet it is of no use where incurable dulness or want of intellect, prevails. Besides, there are _generous dispositions_ on which _counsel_ will work more than stripes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:12. _LET A BEAR ROBBED OF HER WHELPS_] At which times such animals are peculiarly fierce. 2 Samuel 17:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:13. _WHOSO REWARDETH EVIL FOR GOOD_] Here is a most awful warning. As many persons are guilty of the sin of _ingratitude_, and of paying _kindness_ with _unkindness_, and _good_ with _evil_, it is no wonder we find so much _wretchedness_ among men; for God's word cannot fail; evil... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:14. _THE BEGINNING OF STRIFE_ IS AS _WHEN ONE LETTETH OUT_ _WATER_] As soon as the smallest breach is made in the dike or dam, the water begins to _press_ from all parts _towards the breach_; the resistance becomes too great to be successfully opposed, so that dikes and all are spe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:17. _A FRIEND LOVETH AT ALL TIMES_] Equally in _adversity_ as in _prosperity_. And a _brother_, according to the ties and interests of consanguinity, is _born_ to support and comfort a _brother_ in _distress_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:18. _STRIKETH HANDS_] _Striking_ each other's hands, or _shaking hands_, was anciently the _form_ in concluding a contract. Proverbs 6:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:19. _HE THAT EXALTETH HIS GATE_] In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses _very low_, not more than _three_ feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from _riding into the courts and hou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:22. _A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD_ LIKE _A MEDICINE_] Instead of גהה _gehah_, a _medicine_, it appears that the _Chaldee_ and _Syriac_ had read in their copies גוה _gevah_, the body, as they translate in this way. This makes the apposition here more complete: "A merry heart doeth good... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:23. _A GIFT OUT OF THE BOSOM_] Out of his _purse_; as in their _bosoms_, above their girdles, the Asiatics carry their _purses_. I have often observed this.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:24. ARE _IN THE ENDS OF THE EARTH._] Wisdom is within the _sight_ and _reach_ at every man: but he whose _desires_ are scattered abroad, who is always aiming at impossible things, or is of an unsteady disposition, is not likely to find it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:26. NOR _TO STRIKE PRINCES FOR EQUITY._] To fall out with the ruler of the people, and to take off his head under pretence of his not being a _just_ or _equitable governor_, is _unjust_. To kill a king on the ground of justice is a most dreadful omen to any land. Where was it ever... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 17:28. _EVEN A FOOL_] He is counted wise _as to that particular_. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be _golden-mouthed_ and _silver-tongued_ in eloquence; but to know _when_ and _... [ Continue Reading ]