Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH [HEBREW, BABBLETH, bowTeh (H981 )] LIKE THE PIERCINGS OF A SWORD (PSALMS 57:4 ) BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE IS HEALTH. Compare with the first clause the last clause of Proverbs 12:17. The tongue of the godly wise not only does not wound, but it heals the wounds inflicted by the ungodly, by excusing and defending the innocent, and by making up quarrels. It is not enoch not to bring forth bad fruit; we must bring forth good fruit....

Verse Proverbs 12:18. _THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH_] Instead of בוטה _boteh,_ _blabbing out, blustering_, several MSS. have בוטח _boteach_, TRUSTING: and instead of כמדקרות _kemadkeroth_, _AS the piercings_, seven MSS., with the _Complutensian Polyglot_, have במדקרות _bemadkeroth_, _IN the piercings_. "There is that _trusteth in_ the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the _former_ to be the true reading....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 12:1 INSTRUCTION; correction, discipline, which shows a man his faults, gives him a lowly opinion of himself, and opens his mind to receive _knowledge, _especially the knowledge of himself and of all moral obligations. IS BRUTISH; is as insensible to higher aspirations, to regret for the past or hope of amendment, as a brute beast (comp. Proverbs 30:2). On this point St. Augustine is quoted: "Quicumque corripi non vis, ex eo sane corripiendus es quia corripi non vis. Non vis enim tua tibi vitia demonstrari; non vis ut feriantur, fiatque tibi utilis dolor, quo medicum quaeras; non vis tibi tu ipse ostendi, ut cum deformem te vides, reformaturum desideres, eique supplices ne in illa remaneas foeditate

THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH LIKE THE PIERCINGS OF A SWORD,.... Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; see Psalms 57:4; such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers, who grieve the innocent, wound their characters, destroy their good name and credit, and separate chief friends; and such are the words of antichrist, who looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon, Revelation 13:11; BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE [IS] HEALTH; or "healing" e; by giving a faithful testimony which sets matters right; by clearing and defending the character of those who are falsely accused and wrongfully charged; by making up differe

CHAPTER 12 THE CONTRAST IN RELATION TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS In these proverbs we have the righteous mentioned, his thoughts, his words, his domestic relationship, his attitude toward animal creation Proverbs 12:10); his diligence; all is contrasted with the wicked in these beautiful antithetic expressions of wisdom. The thoughts of the righteous are right Proverbs 12:5), because his heart is right; his words bring deliverance Proverbs 12:6); in speaking truth he showeth forth righteousness Proverbs 12:17); his tongue is health Proverbs 12:1

PROVERBS 12. Here we have a number of proverbs handling the favourite subject of retribution (Proverbs 12:2 f., Proverbs 12:7; Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 12:21; Proverbs 12:28). Several deal with speech (Proverbs 12:6; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 12:16;...

LIKE THE PIERCINGS, &C. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 20:30. and Proverbs 18:21. Compare Psalms 57:4, and Proverbs 16:27); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9); Jews (John 8:48); Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:14.Hebrews 11:36;...

_speaketh_ Rather, SPEAKETH RASHLY, R.V.; scattereth thoughtless words, as one might recklessly brandish a naked sword. "Many a word at random spoken May wound … a heart that's broken....

TEXT Proverbs 12:10-19 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding. 12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13. In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble. 14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel. 16. A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame. 17. He that

4. A CROWN, etc.] Possibly there may be a reference to the crown worn on their wedding-day by bride and bridegroom (Song of Solomon 3:11; Song of Solomon 8:9). In Damascus the bridal crown consists of a silver hoop covered with a network of strings of corals. On this net are fastened strings of gold coins....