Proverbs 18

If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.

Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with.

As soon as sin entered, shame followed.

The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom.

The merits of a cause must be looked to, not the person.

What mischief bad men do to themselves by their ungoverned tongues!

How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy!

Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin.

The Divine power, made known in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich man, who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong city and a high wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of that Judge whom they despised as a Saviour.

After the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour shall be the reward of humility.

Eagerness, with self-conceit, will expose to shame.

Firmness of mind supports under many pains and trials. But when the conscience is tortured with remorse, no human fortitude can bear the misery; what then will hell be?

We must get knowledge, not only into our heads, but into our hearts.

Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.

It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves.

It was customary sometimes to refer matters to God, by casting lots, with solemn prayer. The profaning the lot, by using it in matters of diversion, or coveting what belongs to others, forms an objection to this now.

Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relations and those under obligations to each other. Wisdom and grace make it easy to forgive; but corruption makes it difficult.

The belly is here put for the heart, as elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will be accordingly, and our inward peace.

Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue.

A good wife is a great blessing to a man, and it is a token of Divine favour.

Poverty tells men they must not order or demand. And at the throne of God's grace we are all poor, and must use entreaties.

Christ Jesus never will forsake those who trust in and love him. May we be such friends to others, for our Master's sake. Having loved his own, which were in the world, he loved them unto the end; and we are his friends if we do whatever he commands us, Joh 15:14.

Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification. intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).

that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).

So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pr 16:4). wicked, for "wickedness," answers to ignominy, or the state of such; and contempt, the feeling of others to them; and to reproach, a manifestation of contempt.

Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

accept the person--(Compare Ps 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."

The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).

(Compare Pr 16:28). as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow. innermost ... belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Ps 22:14).

One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor. waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.

name of the Lord--manifested perfections (Ps 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely. is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Ps 18:2; 91:4).

contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Ps 73:6).

(Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).

Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).

infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.

(Compare Pr 1:5, 15, 31).

(Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).

The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.

(Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them. satisfied with--(Compare Pr 1:31; 14:14).

Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).

The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).

the rich ... roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.

A man ... friendly--better, "A man ... (is) to, or, may triumph (Ps 108:9), or, shout for joy (Ps 5:11), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.