Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. DECEIT IS IN THE HEART OF THEM THAT IMAGINE EVIL. "Deceit," producing sorrow, is in the heart of them that devise "evil," and therefore strife (the opposite of "peace"). The opposite follows: BUT TO THE COUNSELORS OF PEACE IS JOY. But to the counselors of good (the opposite of "evil") and "peace," is candour (the opposite of "deceit"), and therefore "joy....

The “deceit” of “those who imagine evil” can work nothing but evil to those whom they advise. The “counselors of peace” have joy in themselves, and impart it to others also....

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

DECEIT [IS] IN THE HEART OF THEM THAT IMAGINE EVIL,.... That secretly devise mischief in their hearts against their neighbours; that plough evil, as the word g signifies, and sow discord among men; and by many artful and deceitful methods promote contention and division, in order to answer some base designs of theirs; but sooner or later they are deceived themselves, are disappointed of their views, the consequence of which is vexation and sorrow; BUT TO THE COUNSELLORS OF PEACE [IS] JOY: such who consult the good of others, who advise to peace, concord, and unity; who seek to cultivate it in their families and neighbourhoods, and in the church of God, in which, if they succeed, they have joy and pleasure; if not, they have a satisfaction, in their own minds and consciences that they have done what is right and good; such have a conscience peace now, and an eternal one hereafter; or, as...

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;...

TEXT Proverbs 12:20-28 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21. There shall be no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22. Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork. 25. Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad. 26. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err. 27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious subst

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....

LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 12 V1 A person who loves knowledge will accept correction. Only a stupid person hates correction. V2 God is kind to a good man. God punishes a man who plots to do evil things. V3 An evil man never has security. A good man’s life makes him strong....

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 conscience....