Proverbs 14
KJV
Henry
JFB
Keil & Delitzsch
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible , Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.
Introduction to chapter 14
(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.
uprightness — is the fruit of fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Pro 2:15 ; Pro 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 Amo 4:6 ). Men get the proper fruit of their doings (Gal 6:7 ).
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.
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 Pro 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 Pro 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 (Pro 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 (Pro 13:16 ).
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.
inherit — as a portion (compare Pro 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 (Psa 57:3 ; Psa 61:7 ).
labour — painful diligence.
talk . . . penury — idle and vain promises and plans.
(Compare Pro 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 (Pro 14:5 ).
The teaching of a true political economy.
slow . . . understanding — (Compare Pro 14:17 ).
hasty — (Compare Pro 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.
resteth — preserved in quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Pro 12:23 ; Pro 13:16 ).
Righteousness — just principles and actions.
exalteth — raises to honor.
is a reproach — brings on them the ill-will of others (compare Pro 13:6 ).
Public domain text from the HelloAO Free Use Bible API. Bible references link to the King James text.
The Linked Word Project
Proverbs 14
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.
Introduction to chapter 14
(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
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
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
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
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
An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking (Pro 8:9; Joh 7:17; Jam 1:5-6).
Proverbs 14:7
Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.
Proverbs 14:8
Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
Proverbs 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
Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.
Proverbs 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
end thereof — or, "reward," what results (compare Pro 5:4).
ways of death — leading to it.
Proverbs 14:13
The preceding sentiment illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
Proverbs 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
The simple . . . word — He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness (Pro 13:16).
Proverbs 14:16
(Compare Pro 3:7; Pro 28:14).
rageth — acts proudly and conceitedly.
Proverbs 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
inherit — as a portion (compare Pro 3:35).
are crowned — literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.
Proverbs 14:19
Describes the humbling of the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
Proverbs 14:20
This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
Proverbs 14:21
For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.
Proverbs 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
labour — painful diligence.
talk . . . penury — idle and vain promises and plans.
Proverbs 14:24
(Compare Pro 3:16).
foolishness . . . folly — Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
Proverbs 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
The blessings of piety descend to children (Pro 13:22; Pro 20:7; Exo 20:6).
Proverbs 14:27
(Compare Pro 13:14).
fear of the Lord — or, "law of the wise," is wisdom (Psa 111:10).
Proverbs 14:28
The teaching of a true political economy.
Proverbs 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
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
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
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
resteth — preserved in quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Pro 12:23; Pro 13:16).
Proverbs 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
wise — discreet or prudent.
causeth shame — (Pro 10:5; Pro 12:4) acts basely.
Public domain text from the HelloAO Free Use Bible API. Bible references link to the King James text.