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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com


Proverbs Chapter 14

Proverbs 14:1

pro 14:1

(Pro. 14:1-35)

Every wise, &c.--literally, "The wisdoms" (compare Pro 9:1) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.

buildeth . . . house--increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement, lessen.

Proverbs 14:2

pro 14:2

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

Proverbs 14:3

pro 14:3

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

Proverbs 14:4

pro 14:4

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

Proverbs 14:5

pro 14:5

A faithful witness, &c.--one tested to be such.

utter lies--or, "breathe out lies"--that is, habitually lies (Pro 6:19; compare Act 9:1). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.

Proverbs 14:6

pro 14:6

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

Proverbs 14:7

pro 14:7

Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.

Proverbs 14:8

pro 14:8

Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.

Proverbs 14:9

pro 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin--or, "Sin deludes fools."

righteous . . . favour--that is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.

Proverbs 14:10

pro 14:10

Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.

Proverbs 14:11

pro 14:11

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

Proverbs 14:12

pro 14:12

end thereof--or, "reward," what results (compare Pro 5:4).

ways of death--leading to it.

Proverbs 14:13

pro 14:13

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

Proverbs 14:14

pro 14:14

filled . . . ways--receive retribution (Pro 1:31).

a good man . . . himself--literally, "is away from such," will not associate with him.

Proverbs 14:15

pro 14:15

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

Proverbs 14:16

pro 14:16

(Compare Pro 3:7; Pro 28:14).

rageth--acts proudly and conceitedly.

Proverbs 14:17

pro 14:17

He . . . angry--literally, "short of anger" (compare Pro 14:29, opposite idea).

man . . . hated--that is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.

Proverbs 14:18

pro 14:18

inherit--as a portion (compare Pro 3:35).

are crowned--literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.

Proverbs 14:19

pro 14:19

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

Proverbs 14:20

pro 14:20

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

Proverbs 14:21

pro 14:21

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

Proverbs 14:22

pro 14:22

As usual, the interrogative negative strengthens the affirmative.

mercy and truth--that is, God's (Psa 57:3; Psa 61:7).

Proverbs 14:23

pro 14:23

labour--painful diligence.

talk . . . penury--idle and vain promises and plans.

Proverbs 14:24

pro 14:24

(Compare Pro 3:16).

foolishness . . . folly--Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.

Proverbs 14:25

pro 14:25

Life often depends on truth-telling.

a deceitful . . . lies--He that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted (Pro 14:5).

Proverbs 14:26

pro 14:26

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

Proverbs 14:27

pro 14:27

(Compare Pro 13:14).

fear of the Lord--or, "law of the wise," is wisdom (Psa 111:10).

Proverbs 14:28

pro 14:28

The teaching of a true political economy.

Proverbs 14:29

pro 14:29

slow . . . understanding--(Compare Pro 14:17).

hasty--(Compare Pro 14:17).

exalteth folly--makes it conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.

Proverbs 14:30

pro 14:30

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.

Proverbs 14:31

pro 14:31

reproacheth his Maker--who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Pro 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially Sa1 2:8; Psa 113:7).

Proverbs 14:32

pro 14:32

driven--thrust out violently (compare Psa 35:5-6).

hath hope--trusteth (Pro 10:2; Pro 11:4; Psa 2:12), implying assurance of help.

Proverbs 14:33

pro 14:33

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

Proverbs 14:34

pro 14:34

Righteousness--just principles and actions.

exalteth--raises to honor.

is a reproach--brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pro 13:6).

Proverbs 14:35

pro 14:35

wise--discreet or prudent.

causeth shame-- (Pro 10:5; Pro 12:4) acts basely.


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