Proverbs 13-15

There is great hope of those that reverence their parents. There is little hope of any who will not hear those that deal faithfully with them.

By our words we must be justified or condemned, Mt 12:37.

He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.

The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.

Where sin reigns, the man is loathsome. If his conscience were awake, he would abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes.

An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions.

Some who are really poor, trade and spend as if they were rich: this is sin, and will be shame, and it will end accordingly. Some that are really rich, would be thought to be poor: in this there is want of gratitude to God, want of justice and charity to others. There are many hypocrites, empty of grace, who will not be convinced of their poverty. There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.

Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.

The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.

All contentions, whether between private persons, families, churches, or nations, are begun and carried forward by pride. Disputes would be easily prevented or ended, if it were not for pride.

Wealth gotten by dishonesty or vice, has a secret curse, which will speedily waste it.

The delay of what is anxiously hoped for, is very painful to the mind; obtaining it is very pleasant. But spiritual blessings are chiefly intended.

He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.

The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness.

The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse.

It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for.

Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.

He that scorns to be taught, will certainly be brought down.

There are in man strong desires after happiness; but never let those expect any thing truly sweet to their souls, who will not be persuaded to leave their sins.

Multitudes are brought to ruin by bad company. And all that make themselves wicked will be destroyed.

When God pursues sinners he is sure to overtake them; and he will reward the righteous.

The servant of God who is not anxious about riches, takes the best method of providing for his children.

The poor, yet industrious, thrive, though in a homely manner, while those who have great riches are often brought to poverty for want of judgment.

He acts as if he hated his child, who, by false indulgence, permits sinful habits to gather strength, which will bring sorrow here, and misery hereafter.

It is the misery of the wicked, that even their sensual appetites are always craving. The righteous feeds on the word and ordinances, to the satisfying of his soul with the promises of the gospel, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of life.

A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down.

Here are grace and sin in their true colours. Those that despise God's precepts and promises, despise God and all his power and mercy.

Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties.

There can be no advantage without something which, though of little moment, will affright the indolent.

A conscientious witness will not dare to represent anything otherwise than according to his knowledge.

A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit.

We discover a wicked man if there is no savour of piety in his discourse.

We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake.

Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ.

We do not know what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness.

Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises and strengthens even mean families.

The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth.

Of all sinners backsliders will have the most terror when they reflect on their own ways.

Eager readiness to believe what others say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies of his salvation, by taking heed to God's word.

Holy fear guards against every thing unholy.

An angry man is to be pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful.

Sin is the shame of sinners; but wisdom is the honour of the wise.

Even bad men acknowledge the excellency of God's people.

Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us.

To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin.

How wisely those consult their own interest, who not only do good, but devise it!

Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing.

The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge their usefulness.

An upright man will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light.

Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of death.

Let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, do what they can, that many may be added to his church.

A mild, patient man is one that learns of Christ, who is Wisdom itself. Unbridled passion is folly made known.

An upright, contented, and benevolent mind, tends to health.

To oppress the poor is to reproach our Creator.

The wicked man has his soul forced from him; he dies in his sins, under the guilt and power of them. But godly men, though they have pain and some dread of death, have the blessed hope, which God, who cannot lie, has given them.

Wisdom possesses the heart, and thus regulates the affections and tempers.

Piety and holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty.

The great King who reigns over heaven and earth, will reward faithful servants who honour his gospel by the proper discharge of the duties of their stations: he despises not the services of the lowest.

A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.

He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.

Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.

A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.

If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.

The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing.

We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.

The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased.

He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.

There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.

A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.

A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.

A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.

Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.

Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.

He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled.

Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty.

Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly.

Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy.

If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass.

Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions.

A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.

Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support.

The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart.

The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin.

A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well.

God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance.

How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life.

Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body.

The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.

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

shall eat--that is, obtain (Pr 12:14). transgressors--as in Pr 2:22. violence--or, "mischief" to themselves.

He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.

(Compare Pr 12:11, 27).

loathsome ... shame--better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pr 19:26), by slander, &c., 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 Pr 10:27; 11:31).

(Compare Pr 10:11). fountain--or, "source of life." to depart--(compare Pr 1:2-4), or, "for departing," &c., 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: De 21:4; Jer 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 Pr 10:17; 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 Pr 11:31). good ... repaid--or, "He (God) will repay good."

wealth ... just--While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners enure to the just (compare Pr 28:8; Ps 37:18, 22, 26, &c.).

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 Pr 3:12; 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.

Every wise, &c.--literally, "The wisdoms" (compare Pr 9:1) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech. buildeth ... house--increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement, lessen.

uprightness--is the fruit of fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Pr 2:15; 3:32) of despising Him and His law.

rod of pride--that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.

crib is clean--empty; so "cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare Am 4:6). Men get the proper fruit of their doings (Ga 6:7).

A faithful witness, &c.--one tested to be such. utter lies--or, "breathe out lies"--that is, habitually lies (Pr 6:19; compare Ac 9:1). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.

An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking (Pr 8:9; Joh 7:17; Jas 1:5, 6).

Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.

Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.

Fools make a mock at sin--or, "Sin deludes fools." righteous ... favour--that is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.

Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.

(Compare Pr 12:7). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.

end thereof--or, "reward," what results (compare Pr 5:4). ways of death--leading to it.

The preceding sentiment illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.

filled ... ways--receive retribution (Pr 1:31). a good man ... himself--literally, "is away from such," will not associate with him.

The simple ... word--He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness (Pr 13:16).

(Compare Pr 3:7; 28:14). rageth--acts proudly and conceitedly.

He ... angry--literally, "short of anger" (compare Pr 14:29, opposite idea). man ... hated--that is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.

inherit--as a portion (compare Pr 3:35). are crowned--literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.

Describes the humbling of the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.

This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.

For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.

As usual, the interrogative negative strengthens the affirmative. mercy and truth--that is, God's (Ps 57:3; 61:7).

labour--painful diligence. talk ... penury--idle and vain promises and plans.

(Compare Pr 3:16). foolishness ... folly--Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.

Life often depends on truth-telling. a deceitful ... lies--He that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted (Pr 14:5).

The blessings of piety descend to children (Pr 13:22; 20:7; Ex 20:6).

(Compare Pr 13:14). fear of the Lord--or, "law of the wise," is wisdom (Ps 111:10).

The teaching of a true political economy.

slow ... understanding--(Compare Pr 14:17). hasty--(Compare Pr 14:17). exalteth folly--makes it conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.

A sound heart--both literally and figuratively, a source of health; in the latter sense, opposed to the known effect of evil passions on health.

reproacheth his Maker--who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Pr 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially 1Sa 2:8; Ps 113:7).

driven--thrust out violently (compare Ps 35:5, 6). hath hope--trusteth (Pr 10:2; 11:4; Ps 2:12), implying assurance of help.

resteth--preserved in quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Pr 12:23; 13:16).

Righteousness--just principles and actions. exalteth--raises to honor. is a reproach--brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pr 13:6).

wise--discreet or prudent. causeth shame--(Pr 10:5; 12:4) acts basely.

soft--tender or gentle. turneth ... wrath--from any one. stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

useth ... aright--commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out--utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.

beholding--watching (compare Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7).

A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life--(Pr 3:18; 11:30). perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language. breach ... spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

(Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18). is prudent--acts discreetly.

treasure--implying utility. trouble--vexation and affliction.

(Compare Pr 10:20, 21). heart ... not so--not right, or vain.

The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship. way ... followeth ... righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11.

(Compare Pr 10:17). the way--that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1).

Hell--(Ps 16:10). destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.

(Compare Pr 9:8). go unto the wise--to be instructed.

maketh ... countenance--or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.

(Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).

The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).

dinner--or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30)-- of herbs--and that the plainest. and hatred--(compare Pr 10:12, 18).

(Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32).

The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Sa 10:7; Ps 1:3).

(Compare Pr 10:1).

walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23).

Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

(Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7). border--or, "boundary for possessions" (Ps 78:54).

are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).

(Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his. hateth gifts--or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5), and is not avaricious.

(Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

far ... wicked--in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155).

light of the eyes--(Pr 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so good report--or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; 53:1), maketh ... fat--or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

(Compare Pr 10:17). reproof of life--which leads to life. abideth ... wise--is numbered among them.

refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pr 1:25; 4:15). despiseth ... soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.

The fear ... wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety. before ... humility--(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).