Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. #2|. The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. #3|. God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. 4|. Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. #5|. Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. #6|. It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. #7|. A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. 8|. Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! #9|. The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. #10|. A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. #11|. Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. #12|. Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. #13|. To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. #14|. What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. #15|. It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. #16|. Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. #17|. No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. #18|. Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. 19|. If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. #20|. There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. #21|. This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. #22|. It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. #23|. The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. #24|. The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. #25|. Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. #26|. It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty. #27,28|. A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.
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