Bible Commentaries

(Compare Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 10:17).

shall eat — that is, obtain (Proverbs 12:14).

transgressors — as in Proverbs 2:22.

violence — or, “mischief” to themselves.

mouth … life — because evil speeches may provoke violence from others.

he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction — On last clause, compare Proverbs 10:14.

(Compare Proverbs 12:11, Proverbs 12:27).

shame — better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Proverbs 19:26), by slander, etc., which the righteous hates.

A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.

In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.

Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.

light … lamp — prosperity; the first, the greater, and it

rejoiceth — burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.

The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.

by vanity — or, “nothingness,” that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices).

gathereth … labour — (Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.

desire cometh — is realized.

a tree of life — or, “cause of happiness.”

the word — that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 11:31).

(Compare Proverbs 10:11).

fountain — or, “source of life.”

to depart — (compare Proverbs 1:2-4), or, “for departing,” etc., and so gives life.

Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning.

hard — or, “harsh” (compare Hebrew: Deuteronomy 21:4; Jeremiah 5:15).

dealeth — acts with foresight.

a fool … folly — for want of caution.

A wicked — or, “unfaithful”

messenger falleth into mischief — or, “by mischief,” or “evil,” and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.

(Compare Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 12:1).

Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.

The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.

(Compare Proverbs 11:31).

good … repaid — or, “He (God) will repay good.”

just — While good men‘s estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners inure to the just (compare Proverbs 28:8; Psalm 37:18, Psalm 37:22, Psalm 37:26, etc.).

The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.

spareth — or, “withholds.”

rod — of correction.

hateth — or, acts as if he hated him (compare Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 8:36).

chasteneth … betimes — or, “diligently seeks for him all useful discipline.”

The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.