Proverbs 19

Notes

Ver. 1. A poor, honest, and upright man is much more happy and honourable, than a rich wicked man that makes no conscience either of speaking or acting in a wise or gracious manner. 2. When a man is ignorant, not knowing what to follow or what to avoid, he cannot become holy or happy. And he who in a rash and unadvised manner pursues his purpose, cannot fail to commit many sinful blunders. 3. When a man's ignorance and wickedness have made him miscarry, he often blames the providence of God, and frets and murmurs against him. 4. When men grow rich, they are sure to have many courting their favour, and professing themselves their hearty friends; but when they become poor and need friends, even those who were formerly kind turn their backs on them. 5. False witnesses and private calumniators shall at last, however slowly, meet with the due punishment of their wickedness. 6, 7. Multitudes will court the favour of the great and liberal who can enrich or advance them; but everybody is apt to desert and contemn the poor who need and beg their assistance. 8. He that receives Christ learns the true knowledge of God; and he who strictly practises the direction of his Word, shows a real regard to his own soul, and shall obtain the spiritual and eternal blessings which he needs.—10. Not plenty, prosperity, or pleasure, but rather stripes, are fit for fools: and much less is it proper for slaves to be able wantonly to domineer over princes and men of great wealth or honour. 11. It is an evidence of great wisdom to be slow to anger: and it is a great honour kindly to pass over injuries, and return good for evil. 12. The frowns and wrath of a king are very terrible to his subjects, and make them apprehensive of ruin; but the tokens of his favour greatly refresh and invigorate their spirits. 13. An ignorant, headstrong, and impious son is a plague and grief to his parents; and a contentious wife is a gradual ruin to her family, so perpetually vexing her husband that he can scarcely live with her. 14. Persons may have houses and riches left them by parents; but a prudent wife is not obtained, even by diligent care, without the peculiar direction and blessing of the Lord. 15. Sloth and idleness sink the mind into a dull stupidity and unconcern, and thereby reduce men to extreme beggary and want. 16. He who carefully keeps the commandments of God as the rule of his life, secures the welfare of his own soul: but he that lives at random, led only by his own brutish inclinations, shall be miserable in time and in eternity. 17. He who compassionately relieves the necessities of the poor really enriches himself; as what he gives is but lent to the Lord, and shall be repaid, with large interest and increase of blessings, upon him and his posterity. 18. Children ought to be faithfully corrected before they are fixed in evil habits and customs; nor ought their cryings or entreaties make parents abate the necessary severity towards them. 19. Men given to passion and fury bring themselves into great mischiefs: and if we extricate them out of one danger, they will quickly involve themselves in another. 20. To listen to instruction, and kindly receive reproofs, or even corrections, is the proper way to attain much solid and lasting wisdom and experience. 21. Many are the purposes and contrivances of men, and they often lay them with great care: but it is only the will of the Lord which is able to bring to pass whatsoever is best. 22. A desire to do good to others is a real kindness to them, though it be not in our power to effect it. And a poor man who would fain do us good, is better than one who promises much and does little. 23. True godliness, and a religious care to please the Lord in all things, increase a spiritual life, and issue in life eternal. They afford the most satisfying comfort in God's favour, produce the most agreeable contentment with our lot, and are an excellent preservative both from sin and from suffering. 24. Sluggards are so much given to laziness and idle sauntering, that they can hardly be persuaded to take their meat or do the most necessary and easy things. 25. Incorrigible sinners, and particularly scoffers at religion and despisers of reproof, ought to be severely punished, as a warning to such as are inconsiderate; but such as are wise and prudent will need no more but a gentle reproof to make them learn their duty and practise accordingly. 26. Children, who by their debaucheries waste their father's substance and deal unkindly with their mother, disgrace their parents, and at last render themselves infamous and miserable. 27. Great care ought to be taken to avoid listening to false doctrine, sinful advice, or even idle and frothy language, as it tends to make us wander from the true doctrines of Christ and practice of holiness. 28. An impious witness, whose conscience is so hardened that he can swear to anything, laughs at all law and justice, and even at the threatened judgment of God upon perjured persons: and the mouth of the wicked utters the most false, sinful, and mischievous speeches with greediness. 29. But terrible judgments shall certainly be inflicted upon those that scoff at conscience and religion; and indelible marks of God's displeasure shall be inflicted on those who slight good instructions.

Ver. 2. He that hasteth with his feet sinneth. He that hasteth with his feet, without judging by his head—who, more forward than thoughtful—must end in sin. C.

Ver. 3. Fretteth against the Lord. The elephant, the rhinoceros, the lion, and the tiger are often inclosed within cages. When wild they fret and strive, but soon learn that resistance is vain and submission good; but unrenewed man, less wise than 'the beasts that perish,' fretteth against the Lord, and striveth to the end against his Maker. Grace alone can teach him to say, 'Let the Lord do what seemeth him good:' 'Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.' C.

Ver. 7. The word 'hate' must evidently be understood in the comparative sense of Lu. 14. 26. And where poverty arises from idleness, indiscretion, or wastefulness, the coldness of brethren and friends, so far from being criminal, may be a righteous judgment and retribution. In other cases, however, it may indicate a criminal want of sympathy; and in the case of Christ Jesus our Lord, was exhibited in the highest form of guiltiness. Had our Lord come in riches, splendour, and earthly pride, the Pharisees would have worshipped him whom they bought and crucified. C.

Ver. 13. Dropping. The dropping of water through the flat roofs of eastern houses must have been a common occurrence. It would bring (1) a disagreeable noise; (2) defilement of furniture and dress; (3) in the end rottenness; (4) disease. C.

Ver. 19. An ill-tempered man will, in the end, come to punishment; for though his friend deliver him again and again, he will at last offend beyond all power of apology or intercession. C.

Ver. 22. Kindness. The most amiable quality is kindness. With it a man of inferior mental attainments is esteemed; without it the highest accomplishments can never secure esteem or confidence. C.

Ver. 24. His bosom. Rather 'in the dish,' meaning that out of which the Orientals eat with the hand. See Mat. xxiii. The meaning is the slothful, even when his hand is filled with opportunities and means of success, will not lift up his hand to provide for his own support. C.