Proverbs 10-12

The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.

Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life.

Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works.

Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter.

Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings.

Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference.

The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice.

Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed.

Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity.

The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.

Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved.

Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves.

Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom.

This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith.

Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life.

The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still.

He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better.

Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.

The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.

That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion.

Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin.

The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted.

The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone.

As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.

What man is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other.

The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight.

The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die and leave all their idols behind.

A good man discourses wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord.

Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.

An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain.

Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.

The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment.

When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish.

The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead.

Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word.

Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down.

A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success.

A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.

We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others.

The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies.

A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.

A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.

He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.

True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction.

Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.

Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.

Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments.

The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves.

A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing.

Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.

We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.

Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves.

The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.

He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it.

The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many.

Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.

Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.

The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.

Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed.

A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him.

Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design.

Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word.

God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown.

The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ.

He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.

A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day.

It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.

When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes.

Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips.

When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being.

A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes.

A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them.

It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty.

Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.

If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground.

Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds.

If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it.

Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions.

Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds.

Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly.

Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad.

The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong.

The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer.

The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.